Nazim's custodial killing: Kashmir Observes Shutdown

Srinagar - 03 August 2011: People in the Kashmir region observed a complete shutdown resulting life was severely affected by the strike which was called the by both the factions of Hurriyat against the death of the youth who was allegedly killed in the police custody last week.

Reports reaching here said Shops, educational institutions and public transport remained suspended in Srinagar, Sopore, Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Badgam, Shopian, Kupwara and other major towns of Kashmir.

CRPF and police personals armed with sophisticated weapons and riot gear were seen guarding the deserted streets, lanes and by lanes to thwart any untoward incident.

Earlier in the morning in the Maisuma area of Lal chowk the hub of summer capital, youths came out of their houses and staged protests against the government and pelted stones on the security forces which police said was quickly controlled. In Old City youth burnt tyres, but police swung into the action and whisked away the youth who also tried to halt the little traffic which was plying on the road.

Meanwhile, Chairman Hurriyat Conference and other top separatist leaders several leaders on Wednesday continued to remain under house arrest.

Reports Reaching to AIP said that Chairmen of Hurriyat factions, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and other leaders of his faction, including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Shahid-ul-Islam were placed under house arrest at their houses in Srinagar and its outskirts on Wednesday large contingent of security forces were deployed around the residence of the pro-freedom leaders to keep a close watch on their activities.

Meanwhile, Nayeem Khan, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir National Front, an ally with Hurriyat Conference (M) remained in detention on third day running, a party spokesman said.

The spokesman said that Khan was arrested by police and lodged in police station Saddar, adding, "Keeping Nayeem in detention will never deter his resolve and he will continue fight
for freedom."

Meanwhile, Agence India Press has taught that sub-divisional magistrate of Sopore Muhammad Ahsan Mir, who is carrying out a magisterial probe into the death, has asked the Jammu & Kashmir police to provide all the necessary details including the name of all police personnel who were on duty when Rashid's death occurred.

Pertain to this; the state government on Tuesday transferred Altaf Khan, Sopore superintendent of police, in order to ensure a free and impartial investigation into Rashid's
death.

Reports reaching Agence India Press said that groups of youth took to streets at Maisuma, Gaw Kadal, Khayam, Nowpora, Baba Demb, Nowhatta, Kawdara and other areas of this Capital City and clashed with the security forces. The protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces. However, no reports of any injuries were received.

source: Agencies