Widespread Protests Leave 150 Injured, Barzulla Youth Critical

Srinagar,

June 1: Kashmir valley observed complete shutdown Monday in response to
the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali
Shah Geelani, and endorsed by several pro-freedom groups against the
alleged rape and murder of two young women in south Kashmir even as
widespread protests were held throughout the Valley. At least 150
persons, including several policemen, were injured in the day-long
clashes at several places.

Police sources said authorities had
decided to clamp an undeclared curfew all over the valley, including
the summer capital, on Tuesday. Heavy deployment of police and
paramilitary troopers has been ordered for its enforcement.

In
Srinagar, authorities had imposed severe restrictions in old city
areas. However, in the uptown areas of Maisuma, Batamaloo, Hari Singh
High Street, Rambagh, Natipora, Chanapora, Hyderpora and Bemina,
hundreds of people shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans, took to
streets and tried to take out processions. Police and paramilitary CRPF
troopers intercepted them and resorted to cane charge and fired teargas
canisters injuring scores of them.

The youth, who had come out in
large numbers, retaliated with stone pelting on the troopers triggering
clashes throughout the day. Several vehicles also came under stone
pelting during the clashes.

Hundreds of women employees held protest
demonstrations outside the Civil Secretariat and demanded action
against those guilty of raping and murdering the two Shopian women.

Late
in the evening, two youth were critically injured during clashes in
Barzulla, when police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the
protesters. The youth, identified as Nisar Ahmad Mir and Muneer Ahmad,
were critically injured when teargas shells hit them. Mir was shifted
to the SK Institute of Medical Sciences where doctors described his
condition as critical.

In the old city areas, authorities has
imposed curfew-like restrictions as a result of which people stayed
indoors. From Khanyar to Eidgah and Soura, huge deployments of police
and CRPF troopers were made and armored vehicles guarded the major
streets. The troopers did nat allow people to come out of the houses.

All
the educational intuitions, shops, business establishments, banks and
government offices in the summer capital and elsewhere remained closed
while the public transport also remained off roads. Only a few private
vehicles could be seen plying on roads.