Separatists call for strike over Budgam deaths, demand inquiry

SRINAGAR: Separatists in Kashmir have called for a general strike tomorrow against the killing of three civilians during protests near an encounter site in Budgam district and sought an impartial inquiry into the incident.

"There should be a complete strike tomorrow and peaceful protests after Friday prayers against the incident," chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a joint statement here.

Two youth were killed when security forces, engaged in an encounter with militants at Durbugh village of Chadoora, opened fire to chase away protesters attempting to break the cordon around a house where militants had taken shelter.

The separatists alleged that the Chadoora incident was the outcome of the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's statement warning local youth against creating hurdles during anti-militancy operations early this year.