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Kashmir Shuts Down Against Boy's Killing, Probe Demanded

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Feb 2: The Indian administered Kashmir (IaK) observed complete shutdown on Tuesday to protest against killing of 13-year old boy in police shelling. Three main pro-India parties in Kashmir demanded a high level probe into the incident.

All shops and business establishments in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir to protest against the killing of 13-year old boy, Wamiq in police shelling. All modes of traffic were off the roads and only police, paramilitary and army vehicles besides some private vehicles were playing on the deserted roads.

At several places in Kashmir, youth took to roads and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. The protestors clashed with police and paramilitary personnel. At least 80 persons including 20 cops were injured in the day-long clashes.

Residents of scores of areas alleged that the police and paramilitary personnel went berserk during the clashes and barged into residential houses and beat the inmates.

Meanwhile, three main pro-India parties have strongly condemned the killing of the boy and demanded action against the policemen involved in killing of the boy.

13-year-old Wamiq was killed on Sunday evening after being hit by a tear smoke shell fire by policemen in old city.

"I warn the law and order restoring authorizes to respect the human lives while discharging their duties. I also appeal government to order high level probe into the killing so that culprits are brought to book and such incidents are not repeated again," said Sheikh Nazir General Secretary of ruling National Conference.

Indian parliament member and senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz termed the killing of Wamiq as an unfortunate incident. "Government should institute a high level inquiry into the incident and summarily take action against the official involved in killing of the 13-year-old boy. State administration should take a serious view of this unfortunate incident so that such incidents do not occur in future," he said.

Another pro-India party, People Democratic Party termed the killing of boy as worst form of human rights violations being faced by Kashmiri. "Such brutal role of police has augmented the sense of insecurity among people," he said and asked the government to arrest the erring cops after conducting high level probe into the killing.

All the separatists, militants and religious groups have strongly condemned the killing of the 13-year-old boy, who was a class 7th student.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.