Srinagar, June 9: Clashes between stone-pelters and security forces were reported from a number of places in Kashmir where normal life was disrupted due to a strike called by the separatists and restrictions imposed by the government.
The separatists had given a call for the strike and peaceful protests against the killing of a youth during a clash between stone-pelters and security personnel in Shopian district of south Kashmir Tuesday. The strike and the protests had been called also against recent raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the Valley.
Schools and colleges were closed across Kashmir as were business establishments and shops in many places, officials said. Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar and in Shopian town to maintain law and order. Even the Friday prayer was not allowed at the Jamia Masjid where the Mirwaiz of Kashmir and moderate Hurriyat Chairman Umar Farooq delivers the weekly sermons.
The area around the Jamia Masjid was sealed by the authorities in view of the call for protests by the separatists, the officials said. Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest at his Nigeen residence here Thursday evening.
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