Strike paralyzes life in Indian-controlled Kashmir
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Xinhua, August 3, 2011
A shutdown call by separatists Wednesday paralysed life in Muslim majority areas of Indian controlled Kashmir including capital city Srinagar, officials and locals said.
The strike call was given by Hurriyat (freedom) Conference headed by hardliner Syed Ali Geelani and supported by moderate separatist Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to protest the death of 25-year-old Nazim Rashid, who died in police custody allegedly due to torture.
All the major district headquarters and towns closed in response to the strike call. However, clashes broke out at several localities in Srinagar city.
The angry youth burnt used tyres at Maisuma locality and pelted stones and brick pieces on the contingents of police and India's paramilitary Central reserve Police Force (CRPF).
However, no one was reported to be injured during clashes. Authorities had deployed adequate forces to prevent demonstrations in the city.
"Some clashes broke out in the city that is observing shutdown, but we have managed to chase away the protesters," said a police official posted in Srinagar city.
Shops, business establishments, educational institutions, private and government offices remained closed across the region because of strike. Traffic also remained off the roads.
Rashid, a shopkeeper died early Sunday in a police station at Sopore town of Baramulla district, 52 km northwest of Srinagar. According to family members, he was picked up by Special Operation Group (SOG) of Indian Police assisted by Indian Army on Saturday late afternoon.
Family alleges Rashid was killed during interrogation and his body had visible marks of torture. Police sources said he was picked up for questioning in connection with a killing in the town and died of heart attack in police station. A medical board has been constituted to look into the matter. The local government suspended two cops and attached an officer following the incident.
The Sopore town in Indian-controlled Kashmir is observing complete shutdown since Sunday to protest the killing of the youth.
The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday promised action against guilty in the case. However, the killing has once again put Omar Abdullah Government into tight spot.
Last year more than 100 people mostly youth and teenagers were killed in series of protests that rocked Muslim majority areas for months together.
Indian police and troops stationed in the region are often accused of indulging in human rights violations.
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