Kashmir shuts against custodial death of Awantipora teacher

A complete shutdown is being observed in the valley today due to a strike call given by separatists against the custodial killing of 29-year old school teacher on Tuesday.

Rizwan Pandith, a school teacher by profession was picked by NIA and SOG in a militancy related case from his hometown Awantipora.Rizwan died later  in the  police custody  during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday .

Shops and business establishments were closed and transport was off the roads in the  Srinagar.

Business activities remained paralysed in main business hubs of Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Batmaloo, Dalgate, Regal Chowk, Moulana Azad road, Residency road and Mahraj Bazar. .Curfew like restrictions were imposed in downtown area of the city.

Life remained paralyzed in other parts of the valley also , major towns and district  headquarters .

An official said that the forces in adequate numbers have also been deployed in sensitive areas to thwart any protests especially in Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Awantipora being the hometown of Rizwan Asad, in view of shutdown call issued by the Joint Resistance Leadership.

Rizwan Assad Pandith died in the custody of police at CARGO camp in Srinagar, a police official said yesterday.

Heavy clashes and protests  erupted yesterday in Awantipora area following the custodial death of Rizwan . Although the administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident that evoked widespread condemnation from the mainstream and separatist circles in the Valley.

Meanwhile, Mobile Internet services have also been snapped in southern Kashmir and the speed reduced to 2G in Srinagar and Budgam districts in central Kashmir.