By IRNA,
Srinagar, India : Authorities reimposed restrictions on the movement of people in parts of Srinagar and north Kashmir in anticipation of fresh protests after two more persons were allegedly killed by police, this time in custody.
The restrictions were imposed in sensitive areas of the capital city and Rafiabad township in Baramulla after news of the death of two more persons spread even as normal life remained paralysed elsewhere in Kashmir after a day long reprieve on Sunday.
Schools had opened on Sunday, despite a government holiday in Kashmir, after a gap of nearly three weeks, only to close again today.
Likewise businesses had remained open with residents swarming markets till late in the night to stockpile essentials as the hardline faction of anti-India Hurriyat Conference had called for another round of five day long protest strikes from today.
Protests however erupted a day ahead after residents in sensitive Batmalu locality in Srinagar recovered body of a missing local youth from a stream and massive anti-India demonstrations erupted in Rafiabad where a youth was found dead in a police lock up.
Agitated residents in Batmalu blamed police for the death of 32 year old Farooq Ahmad, who had been missing from his home for last five days. They alleged that police killed Farooq, a former militant, for participating in ongoing anti-India protests and dumped his body into the stream.
Police denied the allegation of custodial killing but said an investigation was underway.
Protests directed against New Delhi’s rule however continued through Monday with people refusing to buy the police version prompting authorities to clamp an undeclared curfew in sensitive areas of the city yet again.
In Rafiabad, 70 kms north of here, residents clashed with riot police after protests over the death of another youth, Tariq Ahmed Dar, turned violent.
Tariq, who also was a former militant, was found dead in a police lock up on Sunday.
Residents here also accused police of torturing Tariq to death. Police however said Tariq has committed suicide in custody.
An official spokesman however said three cops have been placed under suspension and a probe into the circumstances leading to death has been ordered.
Meanwhile, markets across Kashmir valley remained shut with streets wearing a deserted look as another round of five day long protest strike called by Hurriyat Conference began today.
As per the new protest calender, part of its on-going “Quit Kashmir” campaign, the Hurriyat Conference led by jailed leader Syed Ali Geelani had called for a total strike on Monday, to be followed by two days of sit-ins and demonstrations after a one-day reprieve, congregational prayers at main centers on Friday and yet another shutdown on Sunday at the close of a 24-hour break in strike till 6 p.m. the previous day.
The reprieve on Tuesday has been granted in view of the auspicious occasion of ‘shab-e-baraat’, (an auspicious Islamic holiday) during which people have been asked to hold special prayers for Kashmir’s freedom and martyrs.