Kashmir shuts against teacher’s custodial death on JRL call

Srinagar, Mar 20 (KNS): A complete shutdown called by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) against the custodial death of a private school teacher of Awantipora of south Kashmir reported Tuesday afternoon hit normal life on Wednesday across Kashmir as schools and colleges were shut and traffic was off the roads. The business and commercial establishments also remained closed.
Reports emanating from different areas of Kashmir valley said that business and commercial establishment were shut, schools and colleges closed and passenger traffic was off the roads, the attendance in government offices was very thin and streets wore a deserted look. The mobile internet service in twin districts of Srinagar and Budgam were reduced to 2G by the authorities to avoid rumour mongering on social networking sites.
As already reported the government has ordered a magisterial enquiry but the outraged top mainstream and separatist leaders have rejected the magisterial probe, saying that magisterial probe is not adequate response to the custodial death of the teacher.
Justice Hasnain Masoodi a retired judge of Jammu and Kashmir high court and NC’s candidate for Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency had asked the government to withdraw the NIA jurisdiction in Jammu and Kashmir. PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti has also alleged that NIA has lost its credentials in probing matters it has taken up for investigation in Kashmir and demanded a thorough probe into the custodial death of a teacher and stern punishment to the guilty. National Conference Vice President and another former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that custodial death of the teacher in police custody speaks volumes about the human rights situation in Kashmir. (KNS)