Two more killed, toll in fresh unrest goes to 6

Two more killed, toll in fresh unrest goes to 6

Sanam Aijaz / Marouf Ahmad

Srinagar, July 31:

Two more people were killed in the fresh firing by security forces and police in north Kashmir on Saturday, taking the death toll in last 24-hours to six. About 100 persons including 28 policemen were injured in clashes between police and enraged mob while property worth millions was damaged by rampaging protesters. The fresh killings further vitiated the atmosphere in entire Kashmir Valley which has witnessed 23 killings since the unrest began on June 11 with death of 17-years-old Tufail Ahmad Matto due to police teargas shelling.

Police said two men — Javaid Ahmad Teli son of Ghulam Mohammad of Bungalbagh Baramulla and Mudasir Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Mohammad Lone of Naidkhai Bandipora— were killed and eleven persons including two women sustained bullet injuries in massive clashes across North and South Kashmir.

Official sources said that first death occurred in Bandipore district at around 1500 hours this afternoon when security forces and police opened fire at rampaging mob at Naidkhah Poshwari village in Sumbal area of the district. The bullets hit 20-year-old Mudasir Ahmad, resulting in his on spot death.

“An unruly mob attacked Police camp causing injuries to a number of policemen including SP Bandipora, who suffered head injury, forcing police to open fire, in which a protester died,” a police spokesman said here.

Locals said that the trouble began when security forces after alleged thrashing of several pedestrians sans any reason. Following the news about beating, the protesters took to on streets and stage protest demonstrations. The security forces tried to quell the protesters with force, triggering outrage. “Police and CRPF opened fire, killing Mudasir,” the locals said.

With few hours of the killing, police opened fire in the neighboring Baramulla district killing another youth, a labourer— Javed Ahmad Teli.

They said police opened fire on the rampaging mob at Cement Bridge Baramulla, critically injuring the 32-year-old labouere. He sustained bullet in head and was rushed to SK Institute of Medical Sciences, here. However, he succumbed to injuries.

“The youth succumbed to injuries during surgery. Three more people, including a girl is in serious condition,” Medical Superintendent, SKIMS, Mohammad Amin Tabish said.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of men, women and children took to streets and staged massive demonstrations in Kreeri Pattan in the troubled Baramulla district.

Police said that the violent mobs attacked old Police Station and Horticulture buildings setting both on fire. “The mob also assaulted a security force Jawan and attempted to snatch his weapon. Several policemen received injuries at this place,” police spokesman said.

Later, police opened fire on the protesters after teargas shelling and baton charge failed to disperse the highly discharging mob. Nearly twenty people were injured in the police action while of them –Haneefa, daughter of Ghulam Hassan Wani, Gulshan and Muhammad Ashraf –sustained bullet wounds. The trio was removed to SHMS hospital and later to SKIMS here for specialized treatment.

In Amargarh Sopore, angry protesters set ablaze the newly-built railway station and a vehicle of the fire service department when the bodies of the two youth shot dead by forces yesterday reached their hometown.

In southern Kashmir district, the situation was very tense as security forces and police burst tear smoke shells and opened random fire to disperse thousands of demonstrators who defied the curfew and took to streets in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam district..

Police said, at Pampore, a number of people gathered and attacked police station Pampore. They also attacked 02 vehicles of Airforce and set them on fire. “A number of policemen received injuries in this incident also while rescuing the Airforce staff from these vehicles,” it said. At least nine people were injured in the clashes between protesters and forces in the area.

At Bijbehara and Sangam Bridge on Srinagar-Jammu highway, violent mob violated curfew restrictions and attacked police station Bijbehara and the office of SDPO. “A number of policemen received injuries in this incident. The unruly mobs also cut trees along the highway and blocked the highway,” police said. At least twelve people, two among them were critically injured in the incident as police retaliated with teargas shelling and aerial firing. Condition of one, Tariq Ahmad was stated to be more serious at SKIMS here, where he has been admitted.

At Kakpora and Samboora, a mob crowd attacked a posse of policemen wounding a DySP and several other policemen, a spolice spokesman said here. “A petrol bomb was also thrown at Police vehicle as a result of which it gutted completely.”

Security forces resorted to cane charge and burst tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters. In retaliation, protesters pelted stones, triggering off street battles. Troops and police opened random fire after they failed to quell the demonstration, souces said, adding, at-least least twelve people were injured.

Reports of protests and clashes were also received from twin districts of Budgam and Gaderbal of Central Kashmir.

In Srinagar-the summer capital of the state, the situation remained relatively peaceful as strict curfew continued throughout the day. There was no report about any untoward incident from any where in the capital city.

Police said that 28 policemen including SP Bandipora, DySP Pulwama and SHO received injuries. Several policemen have been hospitalized.

“General public and law abiding citizens are advised to respect curfew restrictions and prevent small minorities in breaking the law,” a police spokesman added..

Meanwhile, Kashmir University and Public Service Commission have postponed all the exams.

A spokesman of the varsity said that all the examinations scheduled upto and including 6th August 2010 (Friday) have been postponed.

The PSC has also postponed all the departmental examinations and screening tests scheduled to be held up to August 8, till further orders, an official communiqué said here