10 July,2009 02:41 PM IST | | IANS
Life in Kashmir was paralysed on Friday due to a shutdown called by separatists to protest the alleged molestation and murder of a college student in Kupwara district.
The shutdown, called by the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani, was complete in summer capital Srinagar and other major towns of the valley with shops and businesses remaining closed, and public transport off the roads.
A few private vehicles could be seen plying on roads heavily patrolled by police and Central Reserve Police Force (CPPF) personnel.
The 20-year-old college student was allegedly molested and murdered by a trooper of the 160 Territorial Army (TA).
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The trooper, Ashiq Hussain Peer, was detained by the police on Thursday as violent protests erupted in Dolipora Trehgam village and adjoining areas.
Relatives of the victim claim the trooper was accompanied by some of his associates as he forced his entry into the room where the victim was asleep.
The district magistrate has assured villagers of action in the case once the autopsy report is available. It was on his assurance that the villagers agreed to bury the body Thursday evening.
The autopsy was done by a team of forensic experts from the local medical college here.
The local action committee, comprising town elders in Kupwara, has also called for a three-day shutdown against the incident. As a precautionary measure, the district magistrate has ordered closure of all educational institutions.
The death is the latest in recent months to be blamed on security forces.
The alleged rape and murder of two women in south Kashmir town of Shopian May 30 had sparked violent protests in the valley. Two protestors died and hundreds were injured in clashes with security personnel.
Meanwhile, the Maisuma locality in uptown Srinagar continued to be tense Friday, three days after the body of a student, Asrar Ahmad Dar, was found in the old city area of Kathidarwaza.
The relatives have urged the chief minister to take prompt action in the case.
