KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Amid complete shutdown, massive clashes and protests broke out in Handwara areas of north Kashmir for the third consecutive day Thursday against the killings of four civilians by government forces.
Several civilians including some police men were injured in daylong clashes, witnesses said.
The district administration had imposed curfew in the town after apprehending protests against the killing of four civilians including an elderly woman while some parts of Srinagar city were also put under restrictions to avoid any untoward incident.
“People assembled at Harpora, Banday Mohalla and other area and raised anti-forces slogans. Youth also clashed with police and para military forces, resulting in injuries to several civilians and some policemen,” eye witnesses told CNS.
Protests had erupted in Handwara town on Tuesday afternoon after an alleged molestation bid by an army man.
Three persons including an elderly woman were shot dead by force on Tuesday while one youth was hit by tear gas shell fired by police in Drugmulla area on Wednesday. He later succumbed to his injuries, taking death toll to four.
Locals defied the curfew in Banday Mohalla of Handwara town on Thursday resulting in clashes between protesters and forces in the area.
“Scores of people defying curfew came out of their residences and started anti India sloganeering prompting police and forces contingent to retaliate by lathi charge however, they said that protesters pelted rocks on them resulting in heavy clashes,” said eye witnesses.
Police used teargas shells to disperse the angry protesters.
Violent clashes were also going on in Harepora area of the town which is the native area of budding cricketer, Nayeem Qadir.
The district administration in Srinagar to continued imposition of restrictions in some parts of the city in view of the shutdown called by separatists against the killing of four persons in Kupwara district.
The internet services were snapped first in North Kashmir areas and later the same were extended to other parts of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Thursday in response to a call given by separatist organizations against the civilian killings in Handwara.
Routine activities stood paralyzed in Srinagar as public transport remained off the roads and streets wore a deserted look with shops and offices shut down throughout the day.
Business establishments also remained closed. Inter-district transportation services across the Valley were unavailable and government offices and banks saw thin attendance.
