Shutdown in parts of north Kashmir over police action on youth

Parts of north Kashmir's Baramulla district observed a complete shutdown against alleged police crackdown on youth involved in stone-pelting incidents, officials said today.

All shops, business establishments and private offices in the district and adjoining Sopore town, 55 kms from Srinagar, remained closed and transport was off the roads in view of the spontaneous strike, they said.

Dozens of youth were arrested by police on charges of stone-pelting over the past couple of weeks in the district.

Barring a brief clash between a group of youth and law enforcing agencies in Sopore this morning, the situation in the district remained tense but under control, they said.

They said authorities have deployed police and Paramilitary forces in strength in the sensitive parts of the district to maintain law and order.