Sopore tense as mob protests youth’s killing

SRINAGAR - Thousands of people Monday defied strict curfew restrictions in Kashmir’s Sopore town where they took to the streets carrying the body of a 23-year old youth for burial, a day after he was killed in firing by the security forces.

Security forces fired warning shots and tear gas shells, and resorted to repeated baton charges to disperse the mob carrying the body of Bilal Ahmad Wani to the main chowk in the town.

A senior police officer described the situation in the town as highly tense. He said the body of the youth was later buried.

Bilal was hit by a rubber bullet in the neck Sunday when the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers opened fire in the town after a mob violated curfew.

Meanwhile, all senior leaders of the moderate Hurriyat Conference, including chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, have been placed under house arrest ahead of the march to Sopore town to protest the killing.

Latest reports Monday said mobs have indulged in stone pelting on the police and the CRPF in various localities of the town.

Authorities have imposed restrictions in the adjacent Baramulla town in view of the separatist march to Sopore.

The march has been called by Mirwaiz Umer. The hard-line group of the Hurriyat Conference has also supported Monday’s march to the town.

Life in capital Srinagar and other towns was also paralysed in view of a spontaneous shutdown Monday.