Complete shutdown at Sopore against security forces

Baramulla, Dec 23: Life was crippled today in the apple township of Sopore and adjoining areas, due to complete shutdown in protest against the alleged killing of two persons by the security forces' retaliatory firing after a militant attack on them yesterday afternoon.

Four soldiers were among the seven persons injured in the shootout between militants and security forces at the main chowk of Sopore yesterday afternoon, after the Friday prayers.

Shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads. Work in government offices, banks and other financial institutions was also affected due to the strike. However, no organisation had given the strike call.

Police burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge after people took to streets last night, alleging that security forces opened indiscriminate firing after a militant attack on their convoy.

People at Goshen in the frontier district of Kupwara also took to streets today in protest against the beating up of a civilian, Mohammad Maqbool by troops posted in a nearby camp.

The villagers, who blocked traffic on the main road, alleged that identity card of Maqbool was taken away by the troops yesterday morning during a routine checking. Later, he was directed to collect it from the camp. However, when he visited the camp for collecting the card, he was allegedly tortured by the troops.

The demonstrators demanded action against the security forces responsible for Maqbool's torture.

UNI