Udhampur petrol bomb attack: Kashmir sees shutdown, clashes over driver’s death
Srinagar: Kashmir valley on Monday witnessed a shutdown and clashes between protesters and police as the truck conductor who succumbed to injuries suffered in a petrol bomb attack in Udhampur was laid to rest amid tight security.
Dealing with the volatile issue in a tough manner, the government on Monday slapped the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) on four more people as the number of people arrested in the case rose to nine. Five people were booked under PSA earlier.
Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in various areas of Srinagar, Zahid's home district Anantnag and some other parts of the Valley, with separatist leaders being put under house arrest as the situation was tense over the death of conductor Zahid Ahmed.
Normal life was affected in Kashmir Valley due to the strike called by separatists and trade organizations. Most shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and private educational institutions were shut while government offices and banks saw thin attendance, officials said.
Rail services were halted in Kashmir from Banaihal belt while traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway was also disrupted due to the protests.
Amid the tense situation, the Cabinet passed a resolution condemning the October 9 Udhampur petrol bomb attack on the Kashmir-bound truck and "lauded the people of the state for maintaining peace and calm".
Zahid's body, which was brought here from Delhi in a state aircraft last evening, was buried in the ancestral graveyard in his village Batengoo in Anantnag district amidst sloganeering by the mourners, a police official said.
His body was taken for burial in a large procession amid tight security. During the procession, a youth was seen carrying a Pakistani flag.
The official said the restrictions imposed in Anantnag police station area were eased to allow the people to participate in the funeral.
Soon after the funeral, clashes broke out between protesters and police personnel in Anantnag and some adjoining areas, police said.
Groups of youth pelted stones at police personnel at Batengoo and some other areas of Anantnag as they were returning from the burial. Police used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. There were no reports of anyone getting hurt, police said.
Protests also rocked Banihal town of Ramban district during the shutdown today. People burnt tyres and blocked the highway for an hour amid sloganeering. Protests were also held in Kishtwar and Gandoh belts of Chenab Valley.
