14 Augst 2010

Two more killed in curfew bound Kashmir

Srinagar, August 14: The vicious cycle of the killing declines to halt as two more teenagers were killed while several others injured in fresh violence in the curfew bound Kashmir Valley on Saturday. With the killings, the death toll since June 11 last has risen to 56.

Official sources said that a 17-year-old was killed and four others injured when security forces opened fire at a stone-pelting mob at Narbal on Srinagar-Baramulla highway, late this evening.

While five persons were injured in the firing, one of the wounded, Omar Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Ahad Dar died in JVC hospital in Bemina. The four others were rushed to SKIMS for specialized treatment.

Earlier, a 23-year-old Ishtiaq Ahmad Latoo son of Mohammad Ramzan was killed and three others wounded when security forces opened fire at a stone pelting mob near Sarnal Laazbal in southern Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

“When the security forces were withdrawing from K P Chowk, they came under heavy stone pelting from a huge mob near Sarnal Laazbal. The mob attacked the vehicles as well as the personnel. Despite many warnings, the mob did not relent, forcing security forces to resort to a controlled fire in self defense in which one person died,” a police spokesman said here.

The injured, sources said were rushed to the nearby district hospital from where one of the critically injured youth, S Malik, pen name Raju, was rushed to SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura here for specialized treatment. His condition was stated to be very critical.

Soon after the news about the killing spread, hundreds of people took to streets and staged massive protests. When reports last came in, the situation in the area was very tense.

In the neighboring Shopian district, security forces and police opened fire to quell a mob of stone pelting youth near Baba Mohamma Shopian in the main town. A youth Ishfaq Shahdar sustained bullets in abdomen and the hand and was removed to SKIMS here, the official sources added.

After the four deaths including that of a 60-year-old yesterday, hundreds of people continued with the protests in defying to the curfew.

Sources said that hundreds of people mainly youth defied curfew and staged demonstrations in in Bomie Sopore, where two youth died in firing by CRPF after a mob tried to raze a wall of their camp yesterday.

Police used teargas canisters besides aerial firing to quell a highly discharging mob at Logripora and other adjoining areas Bomie. At least fifteen persons were injured and were hospitalized, the sources added.

Baramulla on Boil

In the neighboring Baramulla district, violent clashes broke out between protesters and security forces even as strict curfew was enforced in the district.

Despite heightened security arrangements, hundreds of youth attacked with stones Seelu army camp this morning. The CRPF and the police deployed in the area resorted to baton charge and lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the mob who continued to regroup after dispersing off momentarily.

A police spokesman said security forces demonstrated maximum restraint as a violent mob attacked. Six persons were injured in the clashes.

In Bandipore district, people took to streets near Ashtangoo, Kuil, Aloosa, Arin and adjoining villages this morning to protest against the fresh killings.

When the protesters reached near main chowk, they said, security forces lobbed several tear smoke shells. In retaliation, youth pelted rocks and stones at the forces, sparking off fierce clashes. At least seven persons including Station House Officer (SHO) Bandipore, Abdul Khaliq were injured.

Earlier in the day, security forces resorted to aerial firing to disperse a group of people in Singhpora, Pattan. At least five people were injured in the action and one of the youth, Sheikh Bilal sustained injury after falling on a stone, police said. He was rushed to SKIMS here.

However, SKIMS, Medical superintendent, Dr Syed Amin Tabish said that the youth sustained bullet injury in the head and said that his condition was very serious.

In Srinagar, authorities clamped strict curfew. However, in the afternoon, a clash took place between police and a group of youth in Hazratbal shrine in the outskirts of the capital city.

Reports said hundreds of men, women and children after offering prayers at the shrine, staged a demonstration against the killings in recent past.

They said eight people with injuries due to beating were brought to hospital.

Police said that four policemen, including Deputy Superintendent were injured when protesters attacked police barracks and vehicles guarding Hazratbal shrine.

In a handout issued this evening, a police spokesman said that some boys’ along with elders entered into the Shrine for Zuhr prayer and indulged in sloganeering. On being asked to leave, the spokesman said that the protesters attacked the forces.

“The policemen conducted lathi charge and dispersed the unruly mob,” the police spokesman added.