2 min readSrinagarAug 2, 2011 01:14 AM IST
First published on: Aug 2, 2011 at 01:14 AM IST
To protest against the alleged custodial killing of a youth,the twin towns of Sopore and Baramulla in north Kashmir on Monday observed a complete shutdown,with shops and other commercial establishments remaining closed for the day.
Nazim Rashid,28,a shopkeeper,was allegedly tortured to death in police custody in Sopore town on Sunday,following which tension gripped the town and the surrounding areas.
The family of the slain youth alleged that their son was picked up by the polices Special Operations Group SOG and Army on Saturday afternoon for questioning in connection with the killing of a civilian.
On Monday,as the news spread,shutdown and protests were held in Baramulla and Sopore. Owing to heavy deployment of the CRPF and other security forces,people could not take out protest marches. However,shops,business establishments,schools and financial institutions remained closed while traffic remained off the roads.
Condemning the killing,hardline separatist leader and chairman of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani called for a complete shutdown on August 3.
Fearing escalation of protests,the state government kept the entire separatist leadership,including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq,under house arrest for the second consecutive day on Monday.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti,who was also under house arrest,tried to venture out,but was forcibly detained by the police near Church lane area.
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