Protest erupts after body of missing youth found in J&K

Security personnel fired tear gas shells to clear the protesting crowd

A violent protest erupted today after the body of a youth who had gone missing on Tuesday from Peerbagh area of the city was found this morning.

The body of Owais Bashir (20), a resident of Peerbagh, was found this morning from near a local Railway bridge, leading to protests by the residents, a police official said.

He said the protesters indulged in stone-pelting on police personnel and blocked the Srinagar Airport road by putting obstacles.

The security personnel fired tear gas shells to clear the road, but in vain.

According to the family of the deceased youth, he had left home on January 12 at 4.00 pm but did not return.

"The mobile phone of Owais was switched off after 5.00 pm. When he did not return home till late in night we started looking for him in nearby areas. But when we failed to trace him we lodged a missing report with police," Sahil, a cousin of the deceased, said.

Sahil said the body was still with the police.

Police officials refused to comment on the incident, saying "We are investigating the case."