SRINAGAR, July 26: Senior separatist leader and chairman of the hard-line faction of the Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani has called for a shutdown to protest against the killing of a youth by Army in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Hilal Ahmed Dar’s bullet-ridden body was found by police on Wednesday morning at Ashtengoo Naar area, more than 55 kms North of capital Srinagar.
Thousands of people protested against the killing and alleged that he was killed in “cold blood” by soldiers after he had left home for late-night Ramadhan prayers.
But the Army said they killed Dar when he walked into an ambush and fired at them “when challenged”.
On Thursday a spokesman for Geelani’s Hurriyat Conference said the separatist leader has asked people to observe a shutdown on July 28 (Saturday) against the killing of the youth and also against the use of force against peaceful protesters in Srinagar.
Meanwhile life remained disrupted in Bandipora for the second day today as a general shutdown was observed to protest against the incident. Shops and businesses were closed and traffic was hit.
Small groups of people staged demonstrations and engaged in minor clashes with police at several places in the district.
