Baramulla returns to normalcy after four days of clashes

Normalcy returned in Baramulla town of north Kashmir today after four days of clashes between people protesting the house arrest of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the police that left a 12-year-old boy dead.

All shops and business establishments in the town, 55km from here, reopened and transport services were restored. Baramulla has been on the boil since Friday following the killing of Irfan Ahmad Lone, a class VII student, during a protest. While police claimed that the boy died of heart attack, locals alleged that he was hit by a teargas shell on his head.

The chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat was placed under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar on September 9, a day after he was released on court orders from 95 days of imprisonment under Public safety act.
    
The clashes continued till last evening leaving over 70 people, including 30 policemen, injured. The government has already announced a magisterial enquiry into the killing of the boy.