Protests over death of trucker torched over beef rumours in J&K

To protest against the death, both factions of separatist Hurriyat Conference and JKLF called for a shutdown in the Valley tomorrow. Soon after his last rites were observed clashes broke out between angry protesters and security forces with Jammu and Kashmir police resorting to tear smoke shelling to disperse the protesters who retaliated by throwing stones and bricks.

The truck conductor who died of severe burn injuries sustained in Udhampur petrol bomb attack was today laid to rest with residents of Batengoo, his native village in South Kashmir, taking his body in a procession amid tight security. A few reports said Bhat was aged 16, while other reports said he was in his early 20s.

Amid spontaneous shutdown, several people were injured in daylong clashes in this South Kashmir district on Tuesday against the killing of ZahidRasoolBhat in a murderous assault by fanatics in Shiv Nagar area of Udhampur district on October 9.

Nine men, all locals, have been arrested for the attack on Zahid. Five accused have been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).

While separatists, transporters and traders called for a strike in Kashmir against the incident, the authorities imposed a curfew-like restriction in eight police station areas of Old Srinagar and placed the separatist leaders under house arrest. A large contingent of police and paramilitary forces formed part of the convoy in which the body was taken to Batango village in Anantnag district, where the burial would take place, the officer said.

“Another needless death in the name of #BeefBan for which the BJP & its affiliates including allies are directly responsible”, Omar Abdullah tweeted.

Chief minister Sayeed condemned the “politics of hate and intolerance that is posing a grave challenge to the state and country’s plurality”.