Restrictions in parts of Srinagar and Pulwama; magisterial probe ordered
Kashmir remained tense today following the killing of two civilians, including a woman, in Pulwama district on Sunday. A shutdown call by separatists disrupted life. 
The authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of Srinagar and south Kashmir’s Pulwama district to prevent protests in wake of the civilian killings.
Shaista Hameed (21) and Danish Rasheed (19), both students, were killed on Sunday after security forces allegedly opened fire during clashes with protesters at Lelhar Kakapora in Pulwama, where a local Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, Adil Shergojri, alias Abu Bakar, was killed in a gunfight.
Nearly a dozen other civilians were injured in the clashes after the gunfight.
The police, however, said Shaista was killed in crossfire and Danish was killed by a tear-smoke shell during clashes.
Block Medical Officer, Pampore, Showket Ahmad said the slain youth had bullet injuries as well, “in the back of his neck”.
Fearing law and order problem due to the strike call given by separatist leaders, police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in full riot gear to thwart protests.
The fresh tension in the Valley comes at a time when the Peoples Democratic Party and the BJP are working on restitching the alliance after the death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7.
At Kakapora, protesters defied restrictions and clashed with police personnel. Protesters threw stones at a police post in Kakapora.
The police used tear smoke to quell protesters. The clashes lasted many hours and over a dozen were injured.
In Srinagar, the situation, by and large, remained peaceful. Clashes, however, broke out in the Nowgam locality on the outskirts of Srinagar. Three policemen were injured in the clashes when a police vehicle overturned. The protesters also allegedly made a bid to torch the police vehicle. Minor clashes also broke out in the Batamaloo and Habbakadal localities of Srinagar.
Reports from other major towns of north and south Kashmir said a complete shutdown was also observed in the areas. The train service from Banihal to Baramulla was suspended due to the strike.
A police spokesman in Srinagar said the situation remained mostly peaceful across the Valley.
“There were a few minor clashes, but the situation remained peaceful,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, a time-bound magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the deaths of the two civilians.
District Magistrate, Pulwama, Niraj Kumar has appointed Additional District Magistrate, Pulwama, Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza to probe the incident within 15 days.
“The probe into the incident will ascertain circumstances leading to the death of the civilians,” said the Pulwama District Magistrate.
