To ‘contain tempers’ from soaring too high after a youth from old city’s Nawa Kadal fell to the bullets on Wednesday evening, authorities on following day imposed curfew in Old Srinagar. Concertina wires, deserted civilian movement and battalion of troops were seen manning the streets. Bilal Bahadur walked into a few curfew bound areas to capture the glimpses of paralyzed life
Enforced Move: As the word of killing of Nawa Kadal youth spread last evening, scores of youth appeared on the scene in many parts of old city. And thus began street confrontations. But with the dawn of Thursday, heavy enforcement had been put in place to tame what appeared out of control last evening.Street Sojourn: This is the scene of Rajouri Kadal in Old City. Till the late afternoon yesterday, the area had polled zero vote. But everything was peaceful until Bashir Ahmad was shot in his abdomen. All peace proved a big farce after that. Tempers soared. Streets simmered. And confrontation began. But today, curfew had caged them all.Cocked Up: Thursday’s curfew wasn’t departure from the usual. The same troops, the same deserted streets and the same scenes of clampdown.Prowling Jackboots: The locals under curfew are miffed. They say, they react to the situation orchestrated by a “trigger-happy” men in uniform. “And yet,” said one local, “they cage us and thus, rob us from collective mourning as well.”Shooting Sight: Streets are still littered with bricks and stones. The last evening Nowhatta in old city simmered once again. But today, there was no chance to repeat the act. Many said: Guns were indeed trained today!No Kidding: With no adult civilian on road, these kids without minding the manning in force, showed up in Rajouri Kadal. And behold that body language.Ominous Sign: The killing of Nawa Kadal youth rose ire once again in old city. He left behind two would be bride sisters and shattered parents. Those who saw bullets being pumped inside his abdomen later confirmed: he had nothing to do with protests. “And yet, he was silenced forever!”Tender Out: In the hushed up Nowhatta locality, these kids were seen having fun on street by violating curfew, much to the joy of cops!Trooping Abode: This paramilitary bunker in Kawdhara area in Old City was reportedly attempted to set ablaze by the angry youth after a local living at a stone’s throw from it fell to the bullets.Wired Down: Concertina wires have become synonymous with clampdown in Old City. They make glaring presence in the area and elsewhere.
