Shutdown observed in Anantnag in response to vandalism of local Jamia Masjid; police, protesters clash

Srinagar: Anantnag town in south Kashmir on Saturday observed a shutdown in response to a call given by a religious organisation against the alleged vandalism of the local Jamia Masjid and the arrest of over a dozen youths during clashes, officials said. [caption id=“attachment_3803361” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AP[/caption] Movement of traffic was also thin because of the strike call given by the Auqaf Committee Jamia Masjid in the town, the officials said. The Anantnag town had witnessed intense clashes between stone-pelters and security forces on Friday shortly after prayers. Auqaf Committee headed by Mirwaiz south Kashmir Qazi Yasir Ahmad had accused security forces of ransacking the Jamia Masjid during the clashes and arresting 14 persons from there. However, a police official denied the charge and said most of the youth who were detained during the clashes were released in the evening. Meanwhile, the Jamia Masjid area in downtown Srinagar also observed a shutdown to mourn the death of terrorist Sajid Ahmad Gilkar who was killed along with two of his associates in a gunbattle with security forces at in Budgam district’s Radbugh village on 12 July. Shops and business establishments in Nowhatta and adjoining areas remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads in Jamia Masjid and adjoining areas.