Tension in J&K after youth's killing

A day after the killing of a college student in alleged CRPF firing on the outskirts of Srinagar, authorities on Sunday imposed strict restrictions in several parts of the Valley including Srinagar city to thwart any protests.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a magisterial probe into the firing incident that led to the killing of 22-year-old Gowhar Nazir Dar and has directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora to monitor the investigations.

Reports said an undeclared curfew was imposed in seven police station areas of Srinagar and security forces were deployed to foil any protests. Spools of concertina wire were laid down and mobile bunkers erected to thwart any protests in old city areas.

However, reports added, defying restrictions, dozens of youth appeared in several areas of the city and resorted to stone pelting on police and CRPF personnel.Witnesses said that angry youths pelted stones on forces that prevented them from blocking Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road at Zainakote, the native area of the deceased youth.Report said dozens of youths were injured in the clashes which lasted till evening.

Meanwhile, life was affected on Sunday across Kashmir due to a call for strike issued by separatist leaders to protest the killing of Dar. All shops and business establishments remained closed while public transport was shut down in Srinagar. The government offices and banks were closed due to a weekly off. Reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters of the valley.