Sopore in north Kashmir reeled under tension for the third day on Thursday as people demanding a probe into the recent death of a youth in the town hurled stones at security personnel once again, prompting them to use tear gas shells and batons to disperse the protesters.
Trouble broke out again in the town this morning when groups of youth protesting the death of Zuberul Hussain Bhat indulged in stone-pelting on police and paramilitary forces, official sources said.
Police fired teargas shells and used batons to quell the protestors demanding an inquiry into the death of Bhat, an 11th class student, who had jumped into Jhelum river in the town while being chased by police during a strike called by separatists on Tuesday against conviction of six Kashmiris by a Delhi court in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar blast, they said.
However, the locals who alleged that the boy was forced by police to jump into the river were demanding stern action against the erring personnel.
All shops and business establishments in the town and adjoining areas remained closed, while transport was off the roads for the third consecutive day, the sources said.
Police and CRPF personnel are deployed in strength in the town to maintain law and order.
“Barring sporadic clashes, the situation remained by and large peaceful but tense,” the sources added.
Meanwhile, shops and business establishments reopened in nearby Baramulla district town after a day-long shutdown on Wednesday against the death of the boy in Sopore.
