Shutdown in Srinagar over youth's arrest for stone-pelting

SRINAGAR: Many areas of Srinagar city today observed a complete shutdown over the arrest of a youth allegedly involved in stone-pelting, officials said.

A complete shutdown is being observed in Nowhatta, Gojwara and adjoining areas around the historic Jamia Masjid in the old city here, sources said.

While shops and other business establishments are shut in these areas, traffic movement has also been affected as people staged protests against police after a youth Asif Qazi was yesterday arrested by security forces from his shop, the sources said.

The traders' body in the area has called for a complete shutdown, demanding immediate release of Qazi.

Qazi was wanted in connection with stone-pelting cases, according to police.