Student’s killing sparks Shutdown, Protests, Clashes in Kashmir

Thousands attend Adil’s funeral at Shopian village

The killing of student Adil Farooq Magray in forces firing in a village in Shopian last evening triggered protests and shutdown in Valley while thousands of people attended the funeral prayer of the slain youth.
Thousands of people attended the funeral prayers of the 20-year-old boy at Ganowpora village of Shopian district this morning amidst chanting of pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
Three rounds of funeral prayers were held due to a massive rush of mourners who marched to the village from several areas of south Kashmir. Emotional scenes were witnessed during Adil’s last rites with women wailing and beating their chests.
Massive pro-freedom and anti-India protests were held before and after the funeral prayers of Adil at his native Ganawpora village. Men, women and children participated in the protests.
Adil was killed in forces firing on protesters during the cordon and search operation in Ganowpora village last evening.
The Shopian and Pulwama districts observed complete shutdown against Adil’s killing.
All shops, business establishments and petrol pumps in the twin districts remained closed while public transport was off the roads.
In wake of civilian killing, authorities suspended class work in all schools and colleges in Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam district.
A partial shutdown was observed in Kulgam district.
Large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in major parts of south Kashmir to main law and order and foil protests.
Police fired tear-smoke shells to disperse protesters at Muran Chowk, Newa and Rajpora Chowk of Pulwama district.
The students of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) at Awantipora took to roads this morning and marched towards the highway amidst chanting of pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. The protesters pelted stones on the cops, who resorted to baton charge and fired teargas smoke shells to disperse them.
Some students said drone-like object was roaming around the campus.
SHO Police Station Awantipora, Adil Rashid told Kashmir Post that police detained a student of IUST during the clashes. “He was later released”.
He refuted reports that drones were used saying police does not have any drones.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted between forces and students of Government Boys Higher Secondary and Government Girls Higher Secondary near Namblabal area of Pampore on Srinagar-Jammu highway.
More than 13 students including some girl students were injured during the clashes.
SHO Pampore Manzoor Ahmad said only one female student was injured when police was trying to disperse the protesting students.
He said clashes took place at many places in Pampore during which 5-6 persons and a police constable Mukhtar Ahmad were injured. “The cop was injured after being hit by a stone in the head”.
The students of Government Degree College Handwara also took to roads and staged protest demonstration.
Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protestors were demanding stern punishment to the security men involved in youth’s killing and end to the civilian killings.
The students clashed with the cops, who fired tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse them. The clashes continued for some time.