Separatist groups have called for a shutdown in Kashmir today to protest the death of a truck driver who was attacked with a petrol bomb in Udhampur following beef rumours around 10 days ago. Curfew has been imposed in parts of Srinagar after clashes broke out yesterday, hours after the news of Zahid Ahmad's death.
Police have restricted movement in parts of the city ahead of Zahid's funeral today.
On Sunday, angry protesters hurled stones at the police, who used tear gas and batons to drive them back at a village in Anantnag district.
Zahid had suffered over 60 per cent burns after he was attacked with a petrol bomb and his truck set on fire on October 9. The attack was carried out in Jammu's Udhampur after rumours that three cows were killed in the area. Zahid and his helper, Showkat, who were on their way to Srinagar, had to be moved to Delhi for treatment.
Officials said tests revealed that the cows had died due to food poisoning and the rumours of slaughter were created to create communal tension in the Hindu-majority area.
The government condemned Zahid's death with Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed saying: "I have no words to condemn the dastardly act which consumed the life of a poor and innocent young boy for no fault of his". His statement was followed by another from Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh who said, "We condemn the incident- I appeal for peace".
