Srinagar: For the eighth consecutive day, Shopian and Pulwama districts are observing a complete shutdown against the murders of three youth by the Army. For the ninth consecutive day mobile internet remained suspended in both the districts.
All business establishments, government and private offices were closed. Public and private transport also remained off the road.
Last week, two civilians were murdered and six others injured after Indian Army opened fire on protesters in Ganowpora hamlet of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on last week. Reports said that army personnel arrived at Ganowpora village to remove a banner. As the army tried to remove the banner, a group of youth pelted stones on them.
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The army according to eyewitnesses retaliated with firing. Witnesses added that army fired upon youth directly resulting in injuries to at least 11 persons. The police registered an FIR of Murder, Attempt to Murder and Endangering of Life under the Ranbir Penal Code.
Another youth who was injured in the incident succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday taking the toll to three.
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The Army however on Thursday said that they opened fire in ‘self defence’ when they were provoked to the ‘ultimate’ by a stone pelting mob.
The BJP, PDP’s alliance partner had demanded the withdrawal of the FIR against the Army. They said a fresh one should be filed without naming anyone.
On Wednesday BJP leader Subramanian Swamy threatened Mehbooba Mufti that her government would be toppled if she didn’t withdraw the FIR against the Army.
“What’s this nonsense? Dismiss that government. Tell Mehbooba (Mufti) to withdraw the FIR else her government would be toppled,” Swamy told ANI.
