Protests in Kashmir, one killed in police firing

Valley remained shut following a bandh call by Hurriyat-led committee

SRINAGAR: Violent protests again rocked Kashmir on Saturday prompting police to open fire on the mob which left one person dead and another injured at Nowhatta in the old Srinagar city.

The Valley remained shut following a bandh call issued by the Hurriyat Conference led-coordination committee to protest the use of force against people and highlight the Kashmir issue at the international level.

Police said angry protestors took to streets at different places during the bandh and started shouting slogans. They burnt tyres and threw stones at the police and the CRPF  deployed to thwart any separatist procession.

The situation took an ugly turn when police opened fire on the protestors which had turned violent at Nowhatta. SSP Srinagar Syed Afad-ul-Mujtaba said, “We fired rubber bullets on the mob and in the incident a youth received grievous wounds. He died later in  hospital.” The slain man has been identified as Javid Ahmad Bhat, a taxi driver by profession. As the news of his death spread, people took to streets at Maisuma and pelted stones at the police who in turn lobbed tear smoke shells and used batons to quell the mob. Thousands joined the funeral of Bhat.

Life remained paralysed in Kashmir valley on the strike call given by the coordination committee. Shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed. 
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