<div align="justify">Amid protests, shutdown and restrictions, a tense situation prevailed in Kashmir on Sunday, a day after Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhat was killed in an encounter with security forces. Sunday was the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan across Kashmir.<br /><br />While separatists have called for a Valley-wide strike on Sunday and Monday, authorities imposed curfew and restrictions in volatile areas of Srinagar and other districts to thwart protests and people from reaching Rathsuna village of Tral, the native town of Sabzar to participate in his funeral prayers.<br /><br />However, reports said, despite restrictions and heavy deployment of security forces, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of Sabzar. “Because of the rush of the people, the funeral prayers of Sabzar were held at least seven times,” a local newspaper reported.<div align="justify"><br />Eyewitnesses told DH over phone that masjids in several areas of south Kashmir were resonating with freedom songs as hundreds of people offered prayers on the roads and registered their protest against the killing of Sabzar, his associate Faizan and a civilian protester.<br /><br />Reports said clashes broke out in Meemander in Shopian and Warpora in Sopore, Trehgam in Kupwara as forces fired teargas shells on protesters to disperse them, while they pelted stones, triggering clashes. On Saturday, at least 30 persons were injured in violent clashes between protestors and security forces in various parts of the valley following the killing of Sabzar.<br /><br />However, police said that by and large situation remained under control on Sunday, barring minor incidents of stone pelting at few places. “The situation remained under control during the day as police and security forces were deployed in the Valley to maintain law and order,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Muneer Khan, said.<br /><br />“Police exercised maximum restraint to prevent injuries on Saturday. However, miscreants pelted stones on security yesterday in which some persons were injured,” he said.<br /><br />Fearing more protests on Monday, Khan said that restrictions will continue due to the prevailing situation in the sensitive areas of Kashmir to maintain law and order. Director School Education Kashmir G N Itoo said that all schools and colleges will remain closed on Monday. The University of Kashmir has postponed all the exams scheduled for May 29 and May 30.<br /><br />The authorities also suspended mobile Internet services in the valley, while the outgoing call facility on prepaid numbers was also snapped as a ‘precautionary measure.’ The intra-Kashmir train services also remained suspended since Saturday afternoon due to apprehension fresh violence.<br /><br />Last year in July after the killing of Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir over 100 people died in subsequent clashes between protesters and security forces while thousands others were injured.</div></div>
<div align="justify">Amid protests, shutdown and restrictions, a tense situation prevailed in Kashmir on Sunday, a day after Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhat was killed in an encounter with security forces. Sunday was the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan across Kashmir.<br /><br />While separatists have called for a Valley-wide strike on Sunday and Monday, authorities imposed curfew and restrictions in volatile areas of Srinagar and other districts to thwart protests and people from reaching Rathsuna village of Tral, the native town of Sabzar to participate in his funeral prayers.<br /><br />However, reports said, despite restrictions and heavy deployment of security forces, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of Sabzar. “Because of the rush of the people, the funeral prayers of Sabzar were held at least seven times,” a local newspaper reported.<div align="justify"><br />Eyewitnesses told DH over phone that masjids in several areas of south Kashmir were resonating with freedom songs as hundreds of people offered prayers on the roads and registered their protest against the killing of Sabzar, his associate Faizan and a civilian protester.<br /><br />Reports said clashes broke out in Meemander in Shopian and Warpora in Sopore, Trehgam in Kupwara as forces fired teargas shells on protesters to disperse them, while they pelted stones, triggering clashes. On Saturday, at least 30 persons were injured in violent clashes between protestors and security forces in various parts of the valley following the killing of Sabzar.<br /><br />However, police said that by and large situation remained under control on Sunday, barring minor incidents of stone pelting at few places. “The situation remained under control during the day as police and security forces were deployed in the Valley to maintain law and order,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Muneer Khan, said.<br /><br />“Police exercised maximum restraint to prevent injuries on Saturday. However, miscreants pelted stones on security yesterday in which some persons were injured,” he said.<br /><br />Fearing more protests on Monday, Khan said that restrictions will continue due to the prevailing situation in the sensitive areas of Kashmir to maintain law and order. Director School Education Kashmir G N Itoo said that all schools and colleges will remain closed on Monday. The University of Kashmir has postponed all the exams scheduled for May 29 and May 30.<br /><br />The authorities also suspended mobile Internet services in the valley, while the outgoing call facility on prepaid numbers was also snapped as a ‘precautionary measure.’ The intra-Kashmir train services also remained suspended since Saturday afternoon due to apprehension fresh violence.<br /><br />Last year in July after the killing of Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir over 100 people died in subsequent clashes between protesters and security forces while thousands others were injured.</div></div>
