Protests, shutdown in Srinagar over youth’s death
By IANSMonday, February 1, 2010
SRINAGAR - Mourners took out a huge procession here Monday with the body of a youth killed in clashes with security forces a day earlier even as fresh protests erupted over his death, officials said.
A huge gathering at Jamia mosque led by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik offered funeral prayers for the youth killed in tear smoke shelling during the clashes. The mourners then proceeded towards the Martyrs’ graveyard.
Srinagar remained tense Monday as complete shutdown marred normal life in the old city areas while fresh clashes erupted between stone-pelting protesters and security forces in the uptown Maisuma area.
“The situation is tense, but under control,” a police officer said.
The youth was hit by a tear smoke shell fired by police to disperse stone-pelting mobs near Rajouri Kadal in the old city Sunday when mobs took to the streets, clashed with police and Central Reserve Police Force troopers, and shouted anti-India and pro-independence slogans, an official said.
The youth succumbed to his injuries at the Soura medical institute.
“The assistant sub-inspector of police who fired the tear smoke shell in a callous and irresponsible manner has been placed under suspension and further action against him will follow,” a senior police officer told IANS.
