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Curfew clamped in parts of Kashmir after Mehdi's killing

An indefinite curfew was imposed in several Shia-dominated areas of Srinagar, Baramulla and Budgam districts of Jammu & Kashmir after communal clashes left two people dead and about 50 vehicles damaged following the killing of top Shia leader Agha Syed Mehdi on Friday.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Dr Ashok Bhan said curfew had been imposed as a precautionary measure in the areas under six police stations after the death of Mehdi and five others in a landmine blast at Kanihama-Magam road.

He said there were few reports of stone-pelting incidents from downtown Srinagar, but the situation was well under control.

A report from Baramulla said police had to fire several rounds in the air at Palhalan Pattan to disperse a mob protesting against the killing of one Mehraj-ud-Din after Mehdi's death.

Unconfirmed reports said protestors killed another person at Palhalan on Friday evening after the blast.

Traffic on the Srinagar-Baramulla road was also disrupted, the report said.

There were reports of stone-pelting on passing vehicles in Shia-dominated areas of Srinagar on Friday evening. About 50 vehicles were damaged, official sources said.

A United News of India correspondent, after visiting some Shia-dominated curfew-bound areas of the capital, saw security forces deployed in strength. Announcements were being made repeatedly on public address systems, asking people to remain indoors.

People belonging to the Shia community were seen going to Budgam to participate in the last rites of Mehdi, brother of Jammu & Kashmir Minister Agha Syed Mehmood.

Dr Bhan said elaborate security arrangements had been made in Shia-dominated Budgam for the funeral procession and any attempt by miscreants to disrupt the last rites would be foiled.

Life in the rest of the Kashmir valley, including the Civil Lines area and uptown Srinagar, remained normal with transport services plying as usual and educational institutions and government offices functioning normally.

Mehdi, the first Shia leader to die in the ten-year-long militancy in the valley, had unsuccessfully contested the last Lok Sabha election on a Congress ticket.

Recently he had resigned from the Congress and hinted at joining the ruling National Conference.

Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and others have condemned his assassination.

UNI

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