Shutdown, restrictions hit life in Srinagar

SRINAGAR - Restrictions continued in the the Old City areas here for the third consecutive day Monday in view of a shutdown called by separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani to protest against a teenager’s death in clashes between security forces and stone-pelting mobs.

Authorities imposed restrictions in areas covered by five police stations to prevent more violence.

Hardliner Geelani has also called for a march to the city’s Saida Kadal locality to express solidarity with the family of Tufail Ahmad Mattoo, a Class 12 student who was killed during street protests Friday.

Residents allege that Mattoo was killed by security forces. The police maintain that the student was mysteriously murdered and that they were investigating the incident.

Mattoo’s death has triggered a spate of violent protests in Srinagar, the urban hub of the separatist campaign in Jammu and Kashmir.

Road intersections in the Old City areas were blocked with barbed wires, barring movement of pedestrians and vehicles.

“The restrictions are in place to protect civilian life and property from damage by anti-social elements,” a police officer said here.

While markets were shut in the uptown areas of Residency Road, Lal Chowk, Karan Nagar, Hari Singh High Street and Jehangir Chowk, private transport plied on the roads.

Educational institutions remained closed throughout the city.