Srinagar hit by shutdown to protest CISF firing
January 06, 2012 12:45 IST
Life in Srinagar and other towns was affected on Friday by a protest shutdown called by local traders against the killing of an 18-year old student in north Kashmir's Boniyar town earlier this week.
The student, Altaf Ahmad Sood, was killed on the spot after Central Industrial Security Force personnel guarding a power station in Boniyar opened fire at villagers protesting power shortages in the area.
The strike was called by the Kashmir Economic Alliance, an amalgam of various trade bodies. It forced the closure of several shops, businesses and kept public transport off the roads in Srinagar and other towns.
Private transport was seen plying on the city roads
Authorities have beefed up security in Srinagar and other towns to maintain law and order.
The state police have already arrested five personnel of the CISF and the state government has ordered a magisterial probe in the incident.
Kashmir has been in the throes of one of its worst power crisis this winter while the locals try to cope with sub-zero temperatures.
Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar
