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Shutdown in Srinagar over teenager's death

Last updated on: February 01, 2010 16:15 IST

Violent protests rocked parts of Srinagar where a 17-year old youth was killed on Sunday evening, when a tear smoke shell hit him on his head.

Though the government immediately placed the police assistant sub-inspector who fired the teargas shell near Rajouri Kadal in old city under suspension, violence erupted in many parts of the capital city this morning.

The body of the youth was buried in the martyr's graveyard in the Eidgah grounds this morning after identification by his relatives.

The body was handed over to the relatives and it was carried in a huge procession to the Eidgah grounds.

Pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik led the procession.

Angry protestors took to streets in several old city areas of Safakadal, Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Kawdara, Bohri Kadal Sakedafar, Rainawari, Khanyar and Maisuma localities this morning.

Mobs heavily pelted police station buildings in Safakadal and Nowhatta areas prompting police to use teargas and batons to disperse the unruly mobs.

Police also fired rubber bullets as mobs indulged in intense pelting on the police station building in Safakadal.

Police and paramilitary central reserve police force (CRPF) reinforcements have been moved in the old city areas and uptown Maisuma locality to restore order.

Security forces are using teargas and baton charges in the trouble hit areas, according to police. However, the stone pelting mobs are re-groping in lanes and  bylanes, they said.

Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar