Shutdown in many areas in Anantnag; normalcy returns in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: A shutdown is being observed in many areas of south Kashmir's Anantnag district for the second consecutive day today to protest against the death of Udhampur petrol bomb attack victim Zahod Rasool Bhat, even as life returned to normal elsewhere in the Valley.

"There is a spontaneous shutdown in many areas of Anantnag district. However, no restrictions on the movement of people have been imposed in any area," a police officer said.

He said security personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

A group of youth pelted stones on security forces at Batengoo - the native village of Zahid - however, they were chased away, the officer said.

He said the situation has been brought under control, but continues to remain tense.

Elsewhere in the Valley, life returned to normal, he said, adding shops, business establishments and petrol pumps opened this morning while public transport plied normally.

He said educational institutions also resumed their functioning.

Separatists groups and trade bodies had called for a one-day strike yesterday to protest Zahid's death.

Authorities had imposed restrictions in several police station areas in Srinagar and Anantnag districts to maintain law and order.

Yesterday, Kashmir valley witnessed a shutdown and clashes between protesters and police as the truck conductor Zahid who succumbed to injuries suffered in a petrol bomb attack in Udhampur was laid to rest amid tight security.

A resident of Anantnag, Zahid was conductor of the truck that was en route to Kashmir when a mob attacked it with petrol bombs on October 9. The driver of the truck Showkat Ahmed is also admitted in the hospital.
Meanwhile, clashes between protesting youth and security forces broke out at Bijbehara, Anantnag town and Kulgam areas of south Kashmir.

A group of youth started pelting stones at security forces at Goriwan, main market Bijbehara, the officer said.

He said some youth also resorted to stone pelting at Qoimoh Bazar and Khudwani in Kulgam district.

The officer said another group of 10-15 youth pelted stones at KP Chowk and fled away. However, traffic at KP road is partially plying.

Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which passes through south Kashmir, is open for traffic, the officer said, adding however, some traffic is being diverted from Qazigund towards Srinagar via Devsar, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama as some youth assembled in between Khanabal and Wanpoh crossing and pelted stones on vehicles.

The officer said there are no reports of anyone getting injured in these clashes, adding, security forces are trying to bring the situation under control.

He said many separatist leaders including chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Nayeem Khan and Shabir Shah are under house arrest.