Life remains crippled in Baramulla due to strike

Baramulla, Oct 28 (UNI) Life remained crippled in this north Kashmir town and adjoining areas since Friday due to spontaneous strike in protest against alleged security force excesses and arrests of about half-a-dozen youths, who participated in the ''pro-freedom'' processions.

A report from the apple township of Sopore said people took to the streets at main market this morning, protesting against the alleged security force excesses in Baramulla.

Shops and business establishments in the entire town and adjoining areas remained closed for the fifth day today due to strike.

Work in the government offices, educational institutions and commercial establishments was affected due to strike.

Traffic on the road was very less.

People of the old town, where a youth was killed and about a dozen others were injured in security force firing on Saturday, alleged that they were not being allowed to move out of their houses.

They said a large number of CRPF and police personnel had been deployed in the old downtown who were directing people to remain indoors.

People were not even allowed to purchase bread and milk, they alleged.

People of the town were demanding the release of youths arrested by the security forces on Friday and registering a case of murder against the CRPF personnel involved in the killing of a youth on Saturday. They further alleged that security forces damaged window panes of houses on Friday night.

UNI XC/BAS SKB RK1200