Protests over youth's death in police firing hit normal life in Kashmir

Normal life in Kashmir was disrupted on Sunday due to a strike called by the separatists to protest the death of a youth in police action at Zainakote even as authorities imposed restrictions in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in most parts of the city due to the strike call given by both factions of the Hurriyat Conference and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front to protest the death of Gowhar Ahmad Dar on Saturday, officials said.

While public transport services were mostly off the roads, a few cabs and private vehicles could be seen plying on the roads, officials said.

Dar, an engineering student, was hit by a tear smoke shell fired by the police to disperse a stone-pelting mob near his Zainakote residence on Saturday evening.

He succumbed to the injuries at a hospital.

Dar’s death led to more protests in Zainakote and adjoining areas which continued till late in the night.

Authorities, apprehending more law and order problems, imposed restrictions on the movement of people in seven police station areas on Sunday.

The areas put under restrictions include Parimpora,  Maisuma, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safa Kadal and Maharajgunj.

A police spokesman said the situation across Kashmir Valley was peaceful so far with no untoward incident reported from anywhere.

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