Normalcy had returned to the Valley yesterday but the relief was short-lived as protests erupted in Batmaloo in central Srinagar and Rafiabad area of Baramulla district following recovery of body of a missing youth of the area and alleged custodial death of a suspected militant in Rafiabad.
Locals in Batmaloo had staged protests last evening following recovery of body of Farooq Ahmad Bhat from a stream. Bhat had gone missing after offering morning prayers in a local mosque four days back.
Police said the youth had drowned and his body was fished out from the stream. However, locals alleged that Bhat was picked up by security forces and tortured to death and thrown into the stream.
Police denied these allegations and said it was investigating the case. Security forces were deployed in strength in most parts of the Valley, including Rafiabad, which witnessed violent clashes in the wake of a controversy over the death of a suspected militant in police custody.
To cool the tempers of the locals, the Baramulla district administration had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death and three cops have been placed under suspension.
Tariq Ahmad Dar, a resident of Fidarpora was arrested by police on charges of being involved in militant activities. He had allegedly tried to murder one Abdul Majid Lone of the same village on July 17.
Police claimed that Tariq committed suicide in the lock up. "We have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death and sub-divisional magistrate Sopore has been appointed as inquiry officer", Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Bashir Ahmad Bhat said.
SP Sopore Altaf Ahm Khan said three cops have already been placed under suspension and further investigation is on.
In the rest of the Valley, life remained crippled due to a separatist sponsored week-long shutdown. Shops and educational institutions were closed and transport was off the roads.
Normal life was hit in the Valley last week also as the separatists had called for a strike.
Police said restrictions on the movement of people have been imposed in most parts of old city, besides Maisuma, Kralkhud, Parimpora and Batmaloo in uptown Srinagar as a precautionary measure.