Srinagar downtown observes shutdown, scores injured in clashes

Srinagar, July 7 (UNI) Police fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse violent demonstrators in the downtown city where a complete spontaneous strike is being observed today in protest against the killing of a teenager, allegedly in police firing yesterday.

However, life in the rest of the valley, where a shutdown was observed yesterday, on a bandh call given by breakaway Hurriyat Conference in protest against alleged Human Rights violations, was normal.

People, mostly youths, again took to streets today pelting stones on police personnel.

As the youths pelted stones on passing vehicles and blocked road, police resorted to lathicharge and later fired teargas shells to disperse them. However, they regrouped at another place.

About a dozen people were injured in the clashes, official sources said.

A UNI correspondent who visited major parts of the downtown, including Nallahmar, Khanyar and Nowhatta saw all shops and business establishments closed. Only skeleton private transport was plying on some routes.

Commercial establishments also remained closed and private and government educational institutions declared a holiday in view of the tense situation in the area.

The demonstrators are demanding stern action against police personnel who allegedly opened fire on them yesterday, killing Muntazia Ahmad near historic Jamia masjid at Nowhatt in the down town city.

Another boy, Irshad Ahmed (22), was critically wounded in the clash. He was battling life at SKIMS.

Superintendent of Police (SP), North City, Bashir Ahmed Khan said the police would ascertain the actual cause of the death of the boy.

The police will look into all the aspects and try to find out the cause of the death of Muntazir, he added.

UNI