Strike in civil lines, parts of downtown against CRPF

Srinagar, July 4 (UNI) Life was crippled in the civil lines, including the historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, due to a strike called in protest against beating up of a youth by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Meanwhile, life remained paralysed at Munwarabad and its adjoining areas in the down town for the fourth day today in protest against the killing of a singer allegedly by the CRPF personnel on the June 30 night.

Official sources said trouble in the civil lines started after a CRPF personnel beat up a youth when he was checking his identity card near Palladium cinema bunker today. He was also joined by other CRPF personnel present in the area.

Later, a large number of people, including shop keepers, rescued the youth and took him to hospital in a critical condition.

Shopkeepers downed their shutters in Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Court Road and nearby areas in protest against the incident.

The demonstrators also pelted stones on security force and police personnel.

The trouble started in nearby Maisuma and other areas where youths clashed with police. About ten persons were injured in police lathicharge and stone throwing by demonstrators.

Sources said half a dozen demonstrators were taken into custody by the police at different places.

Traffic on the busy route was also disrupted and vehicles were diverted via Lal Mandi and down town. The incident came barely four days after CRPF allegedly shot dead a youth at Munarabad.

Meanwhile, hundreds of demonstrators, mostly women, again took to streets at Munwarabad in the down town demanding immediate action against the CRPF personnel for allegedly killing a singer, Inayatullah Bhat.

Raising pro-freedom slogans, the demonstrators demanded immediate shifting of a CRPF camp in the area.

UNI BAS RR ND1544