Budgam encounter: Separatists call for strike over civilians deaths, demand probe

A general strike has been called by separatists in Kashmir against the killing of three civilians during protests near an encounter site in Budgam district. They have also sought an impartial inquiry into the incident.

“There should be a complete strike tomorrow and peaceful protests after Friday prayers against the incident,” chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a joint statement.

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants at Durbugh village of Chadoora. Two youths were killed when civilians opened fire to chase away the protesters who were attempting to break the cordon around a house where militants were hiding.

The separatists have alleged that the incident was the outcome of the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s statement warning local youth against creating hurdles during anti-militancy operations early this year.

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(With inputs from PTI)