Kashmir violence: Youth killed, death toll touches 69

Regular life remained badly hit for forty ninth consecutive days  in the Kashmir Valley due to a shutdown called by United Hurriyat in protest against the deaths of protesters in clashes with the Government forces.

Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off the roads due to the strike.

Curfew remained in force in many parts of the Valley, including old Srinagar city, while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in the rest of the areas.

Official sources said Shakeel Ahmad Ganai of Chandpora Rajpora was killed when forces resorted to pellet firing in Nikas Aarbal area of Rajpora on protesters after Friday prayers.

Reports said that the youth sustained grave injuries and he was shifted to Pulwama Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll in ongoing unrest of civilians to 69.

In view of the Friday “Eidgah Srinagar” Chalo call, the authorities place Kashmir Valley under strict curfew to prevent any outbreak of violent protests, an official source said here.

“Friday day is crucial for us and the forces will ensure no major incident of violence takes place.” he said.

Senior pro-freedom leaders and chairmen of their Hurriyat factions, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani tried to march towards Eidgah by defying house arrests but police immediately swung into action and detained both of them.

It is already reported that over 7000 people are lying injured at all hospitals in Kashmir.

Month- long ban on mobile service and internet has affected private mobile companies badly.

Rail service has been suspended since death of Burhan while schools are badly affected due to curfew and protests.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)