SRINAGAR: Life remains disrupted in downtown Srinagar, Kashmir main city, due to a spontaneous shutdown in protest against alleged excesses by the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force.
Shops are closed in Bohri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Maharaj Gunj and Rajouri Kadal localities in old quarters of the city, witnesses say. Some of these areas are shut since Saturday.
Residents of Saraf Kadal area told freepresskashmir that they want CRPF bunkers at Saraf Kadal and Kawdara localities to be removed.
They accuse soldiers posted at these bunkers of barging into homes, damaging property and beating up inmates on Friday. They said the CRPF were angry after youth pelted them with stones after Friday prayers in the area.
The district head, Farooq Ahmed Shah had said he will visit the areas to take stock of the situation.
The CRPF have often been accused of ransacking houses in Kashmir despite repeated assurances by the government and CRPF officials that they follow proper SOP or Standard Operating Procedure while dealing with protests.
Earlier, an amateur video showed berserk CRPF personnel armed with guns and batons throwing rocks at residential houses, kicking open doors and tearing tarpaulins of shops.
The then divisional commissioner of Kashmir range had announced a helpline of sorts after a series of such complaints from residents across the valley. His act drew flak from the CRPF authorities.
Also Read: Who Said CRPF Follows SOP in Kashmir
