JK: Life remains crippled in Baramulla

Baramulla, Nov 24: Life remained crippled due to a strike in this town and its adjoining areas and Sopore for the third consecutive day today in protest against the alleged atrocities by security forces.

Official sources said security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to repeated lathicharge to disperse demonstrators raising separatist and anti-poll demonstrations in the apple township of Sopore today.

The trouble in Sopore started when hundreds of people took to the streets, protesting against the killing of two youths in Baramulla and other atrocities allegedly by the security forces from Friday evening.

As the demonstrators were moving towards the main town, security forces and police personnel, deployed in strength, resorted to lathicharge to disperse them.

Security forces also burst teargas shells when the demonstrators pelted stones. The agitators were demanding immediate action against those involved in the killing of two youths and release of all the arrested during the anti-poll demonstrations in north Kashmir areas.

Shops and business establishments in Sopore town and adjoining areas remained closed and traffic was off the road. Work in government offices was also affected due to the strike.

In Baramulla, undeclared curfew remained imposed in Khanpora, where two youths were killed and another was injured on Friday evening due to security force firing.

The authorities have already ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

Shops and business establishments in the entire town remained closed and traffic was also off the road though there was no strike call from any organisation.

Work in government offices, public sector undertaking and other commercial establishments also was also affected.

Situation in the town worsened on Friday when two youths were killed allegedly in security force firing in the evening after separatist demonstrations during the day.

The town was put under undeclared curfew on Saturday and yesterday by authorities as a precautionary measure.

UNI