By Sheikh Imran Bashir, AIP
Srinagar: Life returned to normal in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley Tuesday following three days of separatist shutdowns.
All Parties Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani had in a statement Monday evening asked people to resume normal activities from Tuesday.
Commercial and other activities remained paralysed in Saida Kadal for the fourth day today though there was no strike call from any organisation.
Majority shops reopened in the civil lines while life was normal elsewhere in the valley. Schools reopened as did markets, banks and other business establishments
City roads once again showed signs of life with most main roads clogged with traffic. The Kashmir University, however, postponed all examinations scheduled for Tuesday.
The shutdown was called after an 18 year, Tufail Ahmad Mattoo, was killed in Rajouri Kadal, old City of Srinagar on Friday evening during clashes between stone thrower protesters and the security personnel.
The youth Tufail Ahmad Mattoo, who was returning from tuition, was allegedly killed during a clash between stone-pelting demonstrators and security personnel in Ghani Memorial Stadium near Rajouri Kadal area on Friday.
The death sparked off massive protests in the city for the last three days resulting in injuries to over 100 people, including over two dozen police and paramilitary personnel.
Senior Supprident of Police, Srinagar Javed Riyaz told Agence India Press that, the situation in the city is under control. There had been reports of stone pelting in Saidakadal which lasted for about an hour.”
Following public outcry authorities ordered an investigation headed by a senior police officer into the causes and circumstances that led to the killing of the teenaged student, which is fourth such case in Srinagar since January 2010.
Three teenagers, Wamiq, Zahid and Irfan, were allegedly killed in operations carried out by police and paramilitary troops.
Meanwhile, a team of doctors have completed the autopsy of the boy and pointed out the cause of death due to firing of smoke shell.
Pushed on the backfoot, police are now searching for answers.
“Either something is wrong with our training. Maybe our men are too busy with law and order and they have no time for in-service training. These are matter which needs to be discussed at police headquarters level. We have to take measures so that such mishaps don’t occur,” said IGP Kashmir Farooq Ahmad to CNN-IBN
Police also assured of a fair investigation into the case.
“Inquiry will be very transparent, very clear and the outcome shall be visible to all,” said Ahmad.