Jammu and Kashmir Bandh: One dead as Police fires on pro-Masarat protesters in Narbal

Srinagar, April 18: A day after Masarat Alam and other separatists leader were arrested, huge protest erupted in the valley. As per latest report, one person has died in Narbal area in police firing. Sources say the boy who died is a student of ninth class.

Reportedly a band was called by Hurriyat leaders headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The complete shutdown which is being observed in the valley is against arrest of Alam and killing of two youths in an army operation in Tral area last week.

BJP has reacted sharply over the issue. "J&K State Govt taking cognizance of everything, I'm sure they'll be able to handle it", says Jitendra Singh who is MoS of PMO.

J&K State Govt taking cognizance of everything, I’m sure they’ll be able to handle it: Jitendra Singh (MoS, PMO) pic.twitter.com/BvzjwNgfFm

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 18, 2015

Another BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao quoted by ANI saying, "Both State & Central Govt keeping a strong vigil on law and order situation in J&K".

Both State & Central Govt keeping a strong vigil on law and order situation in J&K: GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP pic.twitter.com/UIrZtsRFVD

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 18, 2015

Earlier, on Friday Hurriyat supporters clashed with security personnel leaving at least 12 persons, including two policemen, injured.

The protests took a violent turn soon after the Friday prayers concluded at the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of the city. Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq led a procession against the killings in Tral and said it was "unfortunate" that the government had not given a clear statement on the issue.

While the locals alleged that the duo was killed in a fake encounter, the army maintained that the slain youth were militants.
"The issue of fake encounter in Tral has not been addressed so far. There have been no arrests or detentions. There has been no FIR lodged on this issue. The people of south Kashmir, the people of Tral have been protesting for the last three days on this issue. "It is very unfortunate that the government has not given a clear statement on this," he said.

He accused the ruling PDP of "surrendering" before its alliance partner BJP over the issue of revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). "It is very unfortunate that the present government in Kashmir, the PDP-led government, has surrendered before the BJP on the issue of (revocation of) AFSPA.

We are seeing that innocents are being killed," Mirwaiz said. He said media was trying to make issues which were "non issues" in Kashmir.

OneIndia News
(with inputs from agency)