Shutdown affects life in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir - Life in Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Saturday remained affected in wake of the separatist shutdown call and curfew imposed by the authorities, officials said.

While curfew is in place for the third straight day in three districts south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir, shutdown is being observed in other parts including Srinagar in response to a call given by hardline separatist alliance Hurriyat (freedom) Conference.

"Curfew is in place in Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam but has been lifted from Anantnag," said a senior police official. "In Srinagar and other parts shutdown has affected life."

Separatists called a two-day shutdown starting from Saturday to protest the killing of five people at the hands of India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel at Gagran village of Shopian district, about 50 km south of Srinagar city.

The killings triggered violent protests in Shopian, following which the authorities responded by imposing a curfew to prevent spreading of clashes.

Last weekend four people were killed in the village. Initially police and CRPF officials said they were militants killed while attacking CRPF bunker. However later on three of the four youth turned out to be civilians, while as fourth man was passed off as "unidentified militant" by police.

Subsequently, on Wednesday a 27-year-old Rafi Hussain Rather, driver by profession, was killed after CRPF fired on protesters in the village. The fifth killing enraged the public across the region.

Shops and business remained closed in all districts and major towns including Srinagar city. Public transport also remained off the roads however private vehicles were seen plying on roads.

Meanwhile the local government has ordered a magisterial probe into the death of five persons and shifting of CRPF camp from Gagran village.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of residents across Indian-controlled Kashmir. Every time, a rights violation takes place, residents took to roads to show resistance.

A separatist movement challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.  Militant groups are engaged in a guerrilla war with Indian troops across the restive region.