Restrictions, shutdown cripple Srinagar

SRINAGAR - A separatist shutdown and strict curfew-like restrictions by authorities crippled Srinagar Monday, a day after protests over a man’s death sparked widespread street clashes.

Restrictions on people’s movement were imposed in five police station areas of Srinagar’s Old City, where unrest throughout Sunday brought the Jammu and Kashmir summer capital to the boil.

Police said no traffic or pedestrian movement was allowed in Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Khanyar and Safa Kadal areas.

Violence erupted here Sunday after 27-year-old Javaid Ahmad was killed when security forces opened fire at a mob attacking a paramilitary post in Waniyar area. Four people sustained bullet wounds.

All separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, have called for a protest strike in the Kashmir Valley Monday to denounce the Sunday killing.

While the Old City reeled under official restrictions, life in uptown Srinagar was paralyzed due to the separatist shutdown.

Educational institutions, banks and markets were closed in the city, while public transport went off the roads.