Shutdown against civilian killing affects normal life in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, April 16 (Xinhua) — Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir Sunday observed complete shutdown to protest the killing of a civilian, police said.

The call for shutdown was jointly given by separatist groups against the Saturday evening killing of a civilian at the hands of Indian troops in Batamaloo locality of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The shutdown and restrictions have affected normal life in the region. Shops and businesses remained closed in the wake of the shutdown. Public transport was also off roads.

Fearing clashes and street protests, authorities have deployed police and paramilitary in full-strength as a precautionary measure in sensitive areas.

On Saturday night, a man was killed and his cousin wounded when unidentified gunmen entered their house in southern Pulwama district and fired upon them from a point-blank range.