KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Pulwama district in South Kashmir Wednesday mourned the death of a civilian killed in BSF firing at Padgampora hamlet by observing a complete shutdown. The call for shutdown was given by Syed Ali Geelani led Hurriyat. The violent protests that erupted after Lajoora encounter claimed the life of a civilian Bilal Ahmed Bhat at Padgampora after BSF troopers allegedly fired upon him during a protest.
All the shops and business establishments and educational institutions remained shut while transport did not ply on the roads. Eyewitnesses told CNS that roads in the district wore a deserted look while complete shutdown was observed in adjoining areas of the district including Pampore, Kakapora, Ratanpora, Lajura, Lelhara, Talangam, Samboora, Tral, Awantipora, Padgampora, Tahab, Rajpora, Wasoora, Cahkoora, Newa and other areas.
On Wednesday two local LeT militants were killed after a 19 hour long gun battle in the district that sparked violent protests.
Thousands of mourners participated in the funeral procession of slain youth Bilal Ahmed Bhat who was laid to rest at the Martyrs’ grave yard in the village. Reports said that violent clashes broke out in Padgampora, the native hamlet of slain civilian Bilal Ahmed Bhat. Protesters amid pro-freedom slogans targeted CRPF personnel deployed on roads with stones. Eyewitnesses said that Para-military troopers resorted to heavy and massive tear-smoke shelling that wounded at least 14 protesters. Locals alleged that CRPF personnel smashed windowpanes of the residential houses and thrashed even elderly people, a charge denied by CRPF.
Reports said that youth at different places in Pulwama including Muran Chowk, Rajpora Chowk and Pirchu clashed with police. Police used few tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesting youth. Reports said that soon after clashes, police imposed restrictions on the movement of people and didn’t allow people to move freely in the town.
A police official said that barring few minor incidents of clashes, the situation in the district remained peaceful.
Meanwhile, separatist leaders including Muhammad Yasin Malik, Javid Ahmed Mir, Mushtaq Ahmed Sofi and Ghulam Nabi Zaki were detained along with several leaders as they were on their way to Padgampora to express solidarity with the bereaved family. However, other separatist leaders including Muhammad Yousuf Naqash Senior Hurriyat leaders Mohammad Yousuf Naqash, Hakeem Abdul Rashid, Syed Bashir Andrabi and Bilal Sidique visited Telangam,Lelhar and Padgampora and paid tributes to Shaheen Gulzar, Showkat Ahmad Lone and Bilal Ahmad respectively.
The leaders while addressing the public gathering called on people not to forget sacrifices of martyrs and be firm in the struggle of right to self determination.
