Srinagar: Kashmir Valley is observing a shutdown on Wednesday against custodial death of teacher from southern Awantipora police district.
Rizwan Asad Pandith, in his late 20s, died at Cargo police station here, and his death triggered fresh wave of anger across Kashmir while condemnations, from both sides of political spectrum in Jammu and Kashmir, galore. Joint Resistance Leadership comprising both factions of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq besides JKLF led by Mohammad Yasin Malik called for the shutdown today.
Shops and other business establishments are closed while traffic, mainly public transport, is off the roads.
Reports said that authorities have also imposed restrictions in parts of downtown Srinagar in a bid to prevent protests. Also, restrictions have been imposed in Awantipora, the native place of Rizwan.
A police spokesman said in a statement that Riswan was “a suspect in a militancy case and died in police custody.”
“In this matter, while following the procedure laid down in section 176 of CrPC, a magisterial inquiry is underway,” the official said.
Separately, the spokesman said, the police investigation has also been initiated “in the area where the incident happened.”
Police said the post-mortem of the youth was conducted and its report was awaited.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary appointed additional district magistrate Srinagar to inquire into the custodial death.
