Shutdown in parts of Kashmir over youth's mysterious death

SRINAGAR: A shutdown was today observed in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas of the city as shopkeepers downed shutters protesting the 'suspicious' death of a youth, whose body was fished out from Jhelum river yesterday.

Shops and offices in Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Maisuma and Gaw Kadal remained closed following death of Owais Ahmad Fafu, who was working as a salesman at a Shop in Gaw Kadal area, police said.

Fafu had gone missing few days earlier and his body was fished out from the river at Shadipora in Bandipora district yesterday.

As soon as the body was handed over to the family, violent protests broke out in Maisuma as youths started pelting stones at the cops posted on law and order duty in the area yesterday. The protesters were alleging that Fafu was murdered.

Police have started an investigation under section 174 of the CrPC to ascertain the cause of the youth's death.

A police official said the shutdown today was by and large peaceful with no major incident of violence reported from the affected areas.

Meanwhile, life in rest of the Valley remained normal.