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Jammu And Kashmir Braces For Bandh Today After Trucker Dies Of Burns

Jammu And Kashmir Braces For Bandh Today After Trucker Dies Of Burns

Jammu and Kashmir is bracing for a bandh on Monday after a victim of a petrol bomb attack on a truck in Udhampur died of his injuries on Sunday, sparking protests across the valley.

In the wake of the death of trucker Zahid Rasool Bhat, critically injured in a petrol bomb attack in Udhampur 10 days back, authorities have imposed restrictions in eight areas in Kashmir and placed several separatist leaders under house arrest.

Strict restrictions have been imposed on movement of people in Anantnag and Bijbehara police station areas in South Kashmir, a police official said. Similar restrictions have been imposed in six police station areas of Srinagar -- M R Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Maisuma, Rainawari and Khanyar.

The restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure following violent protests yesterday in many parts of the Valley. Public Safety Act was slapped against five of the seven people arrested in the case.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shabir Ahmad Shah are among several separatist leaders placed under house arrest, the official said.

Locals protest over death of Kashmir truck conductor Zahid who was injured in petrol bomb attack in #Udhampur,J&K pic.twitter.com/1xNJNbBSIl

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 18, 2015

Opposition National Conference chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah termed the petrol bomb attack as a "shocking reminder of intolerance and frenzy". He expressed shock and grief over the 'unfortunate' death of Zahid Rasool Bhat, the victim of the attack, and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.

"In a civilised society there is no room for those who believe in violence," Abdullah said in a statement here today. "The culprits should be identified, arrested and given heinous punishment as per the law so that it serves deterrent for law breakers," he said.

Protests erupt in South Kashmir after the death of Zahid - killed in the name Beef- In J&K especially awful #BeefPolitics playing with fire

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) October 18, 2015

Abdullah said that 'divide and division' in the society was neither in the interest of the country nor the state, as these weaken the social fabric. He expressed hope that the people will see through the sinister tactics of divisive forces and help in isolating the fringe elements, who pose grave threat to unity and tranquillity.

He also made an appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace and tranquillity at all costs and not to allow exploiters succeed in their mechinations. Abdullah accused the BJP of "encouraging jingoism and castigated the coalition government in the State in failing to deal with the situation".

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