Srinagar, September 06: Security forces allegedly opened fire on a stone-pelting mob in Baramulla district in Kashmir, leading to the death of a person, while elsewhere in the Valley life continued to be normal with people preparing for ”Shab-e-Qadr” and Eid celebrations. Police used batons to chase away a group of youths who blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway at Palhalan in Pattan area, 30 kms from here.
But the protesters indulged in heavy stone pelting, prompting security forces to open fire, police said. Five persons were injured in the firing and one of them identified as Shoukat Ahmad Malik, a resident of Bhat Mohalla locality of Pattan, was declared brought dead at a local hospital, they said.
With the hardline Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani calling for a break in the ongoing agitation, people thronged markets for the second day today to prepare for Eid-ul-Fitr to be observed later this week. Muslims in the Valley will be offering special prayers throughout the night to celebrate ”Shab-e-Qadr” (”the night of power” marking the revelation of the holy Quran to Prophet Mohammad).
While private and a few public transport vehicles were plying since this morning, Srinagar city and other major towns of the Valley were agog with activity in the afternoon. Schools and other educational institutions remained closed, while work in government and semi-government offices, banks, courts and other establishments was partially affected.
Traffic jams were witnessed at many intersections in the city as shoppers flocked to shops and bakeries. Although other parts of the Valley remained by and large peaceful, residents of Batmaloo in central Srinagar staged a sit-in in their area demanding removal of CRPF picket.
Senior police officers visited the spot and assured the protestors that their complaints would be looked into, persuading them to call off their ”dharna”, police said. However, a group of youth among the protestors started pelting stones at the security forces leading to clashes between the two sides.
There were no reports of anyone getting injured. The Valley was rocked by violence following the death of a teenager on June 11 after he was allegedly hit by a tear smoke shell near Rajouri Kadal area of the old city.
With today”s death, the toll in the ongoing unrest has now gone up to 66.
—PTI—