Srinagar, July 20
The Valley remained shut for the second day today against the killing of four civilians by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Ramban district earlier this week.

Markets, shops, colleges, universities and banks remained closed across the region, which remains tense since Thursday’s killings.

The authorities imposed restrictions across Kashmir and many roads, including those in the Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk and Batamaloo areas in the central city, were blocked with Concertina wires. Police and paramilitary personnel, armed with batons and assault rifles, manned deserted roads in Srinagar.

Protests continued in several parts of the region, including Humhama on the outskirts of Srinagar where residents pelted security forces with stones on the road leading to the airport.

A Humhama resident said clashes continued in the area since afternoon with the police resorting to firing tear gas shells.

A panchayat ghar was set ablaze allegedly by protesters in north Kashmir’s Sopore town, an official said. It was unclear who was behind the arson, he added.

Hundreds of residents protested in Bandipora, Kulgam and Shopian districts where they clashed with security personnel.

A spokesperson for the police said 31 police and CRPF personnel, and eight civilians sustained injured in protests across the region today. “The deployments are exercising maximum restraint. The injured are stable,” the spokesperson added.

The Valley is on a three-day shutdown since Friday on a call given by separatist and religious groups.