Ess Ahmad

ANANTNAG, May 11: Southern Shopian and Pulwama townships on Friday observed a complete shutdown for the 12th direct day against the killing of militants and civilians during the encounters and clashes in last two weeks even as funeral prayers in absentia were held for the slain in Pampore township and Srinagar.

Reports reaching from twin townships suggested that all the shops, business establishments, private offices, banks and educational institutions remained shut while as passenger traffic was missing from the roads. Though the authorities had deployed contingents of forces at several locations in both the townships to prevent protests by the people, however, no protests were held at any of the places.

The twin townships have been observing shutdown since 31 April when a top militant commander, Sameer Tiger was killed along with his another associate in Drobgam village of Pulwama. A civilian had also been killed near the gun battle site. Four days later three more militants were killed in Srinagar triggering shutdown in entire valley for two days. Later on May 7 five militants including the top commander Saddam Paddar and a university assistant professor and six civilians were killed by the forces during the gunfight and the clashes that followed. On the call of resistance leadership, though the valley resumed the normal activities, the twin townships have been observing the continuous shutdown in mourning.

With Friday's shutdown, Shopian, reports suggest, has completed 51 days of shutdown in last four and half months while as Pulwama, local traders say has witnessed 30 days of shutdown in last one and half month.

A trader from Pulwama wishing anonymity said that in April Pulwama town witnessed shutdown for 19 days over the militant and civilian killings.

"And this month the twin townships have not witnessed even a single day of business. The traders have been badly hit due to the continuous shutdown," a trader Mushtaq Ahmad said.

Pertinently, Shopian and Pulwama are considered to be hit beds of militancy. Amid public support to the militants in these areas, the twin districts have been witnessing increasing encounters between forces and youth.

Meanwhile, 3G, 4G high speed internet continues to be barred in entire south Kashmir from the last five days.

Courtesy: Kashmir Times: Saturday, May 12, 2018