15 sept 2010 kashmir

• 

Youth shot dead in Sopore, toll 89

Over 50 injured in fresh clashes

Srinagar: sept 15

A youth on Wednesday was killed and over fifty people were injured as Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police burst tear smoke shells and opened fire upon the people who defied curfew and staged demonstrations against the killing of 18 unarmed protesters by forces on Monday.>>>>>>>>.

(pic of sopore martyerd >

Youth shot dead in Sopore, 20 hurt in North

correspondent from North

Kashmir said that eight people were injured, one among them critically when forces fired upon a group of protesters in Sopore town of Baramulla district this evening.

22-year-old Mudasir Ahmad, son of Bashir Ahmad Kanna of Batpora was hit by a bullet in abdomen after troops and police opened fire on a pro-freedom demonstration near Khushaal Mattoo locality of the town this evening. The injured youth succumbed to injuries on way to hospital.

Reports said that three of the people with bullet wounds were removed to Srinagar hospitals.

The killing of the youth brought thousands of people of Arampora, Batpora, Khushal Matoo, Baba Yusuf, Chinkipora and other areas on roads. Chanting pro-Independence and anti-India slogans the people protested the killing of the youth. Angry youth hurled rocks and stones on the forces to give vent to their feelings. The clashes were going on when the last reports came in.

A building of State Road Transport was also gutted during the clashes between the protesters and the forces.

Protests also broke out in Warpora, Bumai and adjoin areas when the news of Mudasir’s killing spread.

Rumors trigger panic in Tangmarg

Panic gripped Tangmarg area of the district, where six people were killed and more than fifty injured in forces action after on Monday, after rumors spread this morning that the bodies of some more men were lying in a forested area where eagles and crows were hovering. The rumors brought the family of the youth detained by police on roads. A team of senior citizens visited the forested area only to find a dead horse lying there.

Sensing trouble, police released 33 youth who were arrested from the area after massive demonstrations broke out against the civilian killings.

However, the locals said that only 27 youth were released and others were detained by police in various police station of the district.

“27 youth were released by police this afternoon. Many youth have been shifted to Baramulla sub-jail and Srinagar’s Parimpora police station,” Manzoor Ahmad Baba, a village elderly said.

He also refuted the rumors that more bodies of protesters were found in the jungles.

Refuting the rumors, a police spokesman said that searches were conducted in some areas but no bodies were found. The spokesman urged the people not to pay heed to rumors.

Azadi slogans reverberate in Tangdar

For the first time since the inception of militancy across the state, Tangdar, the heavily militarized area along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district resonated with pro-freedom and anti-India slogans this afternoon.

Reports said hundreds of people of Tad, Kandi, Jabdi, Beri and other villages of Tangdar this afternoon staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. The people shouting pro-Independence slogans were protesting the recent killing in rest of the Valley. When the protesters reached near police post, police intercepted the demonstrators. However, the protesters offered stiff resistance and tried to break the police cordon. Police, reports said fired teargas shells to quell the demonstration. In retaliation, angry protesters pelted rocks and stones on the uniformed men. Twelve people, including two cops were injured in the clashes.

Peaceful protests were also staged in Trehgam, Rawathpora, Kulangam, Batergam, Bumhama, Chogal, Langate and other areas of the frontier district

Clashes continue in Central Kashmir, 19 hurt, 59 arrested

Srinagar, the capital city reeled under strict curfew for the fourth running day today. Police van fitted with loud speakers made repeated announcements across the city announcing curfew and warning locals of stern action if violated.

All shops, offices, educational institutes, banks, petrol pumps, business establishments and government offices across the city remained closed. Thousands of CRPF troops and policemen equipped with riot gear and sophisticated arms manned lanes, by lanes, roads and the deserted streets of the city to enforce curfew and prevent the pro-freedom demonstrations.

Many areas of city, particularly old town were cut off by forces with barricades and spools of concertina wires. Armored vehicles were also placed on the vital road links and intersections to thwart the possible demonstrations.

Old city, considered to be the hotbed of separatism was placed under siege by the forces. Hundreds of police and troops were deployed in and around Nowhatta that houses the historic Jamia Masjid. Strict curfew was also enforced by forces in Rajouri Kadal, Safa Kadal, Gojwara, Khwaja Bazar, Kawdara, Safa Kadal, Noorbagh, Malaratta, Naid Ladal, Khanyar, Nawab Bazar, Rainawari and other areas.

“From last four days, forces did not even allow us to peep through the window. They have even sealed lanes and by lanes of the area to restrict our movement,” a caller identifying himself as Tariq Ahmad Zargar of Rajouri Kadal said.

“We’re running out of food stocks. Troops and police don’t even allow us to purchases essential commodities like vegetables, milk, bread and baby food,” he added.

Curfew was also enforced strictly in Maisuma, Batmaloo, Natipora, Chanpora and others areas of uptown.

Despite curfew, scores of youth this morning staged pro-freedom demonstrations and clashed with the forces in many parts of the city.

Reports and eyewitnesses said early morning groups of youth took to streets in Nowgam chowk and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting “We want freedom,” “Go India Go Back,” “Islam Zindabad,” and other pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the people were protesting the fresh killing of 18 unarmed protesters by the forces.

When the protesters tried to march towards Rambagh, troops and police, deployed in strength burst tear smoke shells to quell the marchers. In retaliation, the protesters pelted rocks and brinks upon the forces sparking off ding-dong clashes. The forces, eyewitnesses said opened fire to disperse the stone pelting youth. At least seven people, four among them were injured with bullet injuries.

Troops and police also burst tear smoke shells and fired warning shots to quell pro-freedom demonstrators in Ahmad Nagar, 90-feet road and Soura areas. Five people were injured in the clashes between forces and the protesters, reports said.

Clashes also broke out in Galwanpora area of Hyderpora after troops and allegedly broke window panes of several houses and thrashed many civilians. The forces action, eyewitnesses said set off violent clashes in the area.

“CRPF provoked the youth to take up stones. Everything was calm, but CRPF and police without any reason barged into the residential houses and ransacked house hold goods. They smashed window panes of many houses,” Farooq Ahmad, a protester said.

“Youth came out on roads and staged demonstration against the excesses. However, it didn’t go well with the police. They fired teargas canisters at the peaceful youth,” he added.

In Budgam district of Central Kashmir that was worst hit in Monday’s shootings, hundreds of people protested for the fourth consecutive day today.

Reports said hundreds of people this morning assembled at main chowk, Chadura and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. The people were protesting the killing of civilians by forces and demanding the release of the youth who were arrested following the outbreak of protests.

As the protests were going on, CRPF and police swung into action and lobbed teargas shells to quell the demonstrators. Angry protesters hurled stones on the forces triggering pitched battles. At least seven people were injured in the forces action.

Protests and clashes also occurred in Choon and other areas of the district.

Police sources said that 69 people have been arrested from Budgam district over the last two days and lodged in various police stations in the district and the neighboring Srinagar.

Protesters and the forces were also locked in fierce clashes in Saloora and other areas of Ganderbal district.

South Kashmir on boil, 37 hurt

At least thirty seven people, including five troopers and policemen were injured in clashes between protesters and forces in South Kashmir today.

In Shopian district, hundreds of people took to streets at Main chowk, Bonbazar, Tak Masjid, Shirmaal and other areas and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the people were protesting the killing of civilians by armed forces.

When the protesters tried to take out a march through DC office road, CRPF and police burst tear smoke shells and opened fire from pallet guns to disperse the protesters. In retaliation, angry protesters hurled stones on the forces. The clashes soon spread to several areas of the town. At least fifteen people, eyewitnesses said were injured in the daylong clashes. A teenager identified as Khushid Ahmad of Baba Mohalla was hit by a pellet in eye. He was rushed to Srinagar hospital for treatment. Two others have been identified as Javed Ahmad and Mushtaq Ahmad

Clashes also broke out between protesters and the forces in several areas of the neighboring Islamabad district.

Reports said hundreds of people clashed with forces at Gulshan Abad, Lazibal, Sarnal, Mattan chowk and other areas. Besides shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, angry youth pelted rocks and stones on the troops and police to register their anger against the recent killings. CRPF and police burst tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the protesters.

Clashes also broke out between protesters and forces in Bijbehara town of the district. However, no reports of any injury were received. At least eight people, reports and eyewitnesses said were injured in the clashes in the district.

Peaceful demonstrations against the human rights violations were also held in Kakpora, Rajpora, Murran, Karimabad and other areas of the Pulwama district.

At Yarikalan, four people were injured when troops and police used forces to quell pro-freedom demonstration this afternoon.

In Pampore, the saffron town, troops and police burst tear gas shells to break up pro-freedom demonstrations at Kadlabal and Namblabal. The forces action turned the youth furious who hurled stones on the forces amidst chanting pro-Independence slogans. At least ten people, including three CRPF men and two cops were injured in the clashes. The cops were thrashed by the protesters. Protesters also smashed window panes of police vans.

Fired from the crowd: Police

In a press statement issued this evening, a police spokesman said that one person was killed and eighteen persons were injured across the Valley today. Several government buildings and vehicles, motorcycles of cops, the spokesman said were damaged by mobs in various districts of the Valley.

About the Sopore incident, the spokesman said that a youth was injured after a mob attacked security personnel with stones in Khushal Matoo. The injured youth, they said succumbed to injuries.

“It was also reported that somebody among the crowd also fired. Police is looking into the matter. As has been reported earlier also that militants do sneak into the mobs and fire upon the security personnel. About eight such incidents have alone been reported from Sopore,” the police spokesman said.

In Awantipora, the spokesman said a huge mob attacked the house of a Senior Police Officer (SPO) and caused damage to it. Two motorcycles of cops were also set on fire by mob.

Stone pelting, the police spokesman said were also reported from Tangdar, Yarikalan, Chadura, Bemina, Nowgam, Galwanpora, Hyderpora, Bumai, Budgam, Bagh-e-Mehtab and other areas. ....

CRPF beats scribe in Bemina

Srinagar: Notwithstanding the repeated assurances by the government, media persons continue to be at the receiving end of assault of the paramilitary CRPF and police in Kashmir Valley.

On Wednesday, Sanam Ajaz, Add, Managing Director Kashmir, JK Networks was beaten so much by the CRPF personnel that he had two stitches in his head.

“I was on way to office from Bemina and as soon as I reached near JVC hospital, a group of CRPF men pounced upon me and beat me up ruthlessly,” Sanam told over phone.

He said that the paramilitary men even refused to check his curfew pass, issued recently by the district administration, leave alone honoring it. “Likely enough, JVC hospital was around the place otherwise it would have been a different story as I might not been talking at all. There are two stitches in my head while my entire body as bruises.”

Meanwhile, the newspapers in Kashmir failed to hit stands for third day today in wake of the curfew and dishonoring of the special passes by police and CRPF.

3 killed in police firing in Poonch

Srinagar: At least three people were killed and 30 others were injured, six of them critically, on Wednesday when police allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on peaceful protesters in Poonch district’s Mendhar town.

The three persons identified as Arshad Ahmad son of Mohammad Azam , Shamim Ahmad son of Abdul Majeed and Alam Dar Shah son of Sidiq Shah , all residents of Mendhar were killed on the spot. Six persons who were airlifted to GMC Jammu for specialized treatment were identified as Shafiq Ahmad. Mohammad Zahid, Ateequr Rehman, Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Kabir Hussain, Rizwan Khan. Their condition is said to be critical.

Eyewitnesses told that hundreds of people, mainly students, this morning took out a peaceful procession from Mendhar Bazaar against the alleged desecration of Holy Quran in United States on Sunday last. However, they said the SDPO Mendhar, Vivek Gupta and his PSO opened direct fire on the procession when it was nearing a missionary school, killing three people on the spot while injuring scores.

“The firing was unprovoked. The peaceful procession was at a distance of around half a kilometer from St. Francis, a missionary school, when the SDPO and the PSO opened fire, without any provocation,” an eye-witness said

After the firing, eye-witnesses said, the people turned violent, attacked and set ablaze several government installations including the SDPO Mendhar’s office, Power Development Department office, Forest Department, Block Development Office, SDM Quarters and Dak Bungalow Mendhar. Eyewitnesses said that nearly a dozen vehicles were also burnt by angry mobs.

When contacted Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal said an enquiry had been ordered into the firing and the SDPO had been attached. Situation was tense when this report was filed and people were demanding an FIR against SDPO Mendhar and his PSO for the unprovoked firing. Late evening report suggest that an FIR 182 /2010 under section 302 has been registered against SDPO Mendher Vivek Gupta and his 4 PSO’s in Mendher police station.

Flights remains suspended, to resume Friday

Srinagar: As the situation on the ground remained too untenable to transfer passengers from under-renovation Srinagar airport to Awantipora, the aerial traffic remained suspended for third day in curfew bound Kashmir on Wednesday.

Official sources said that all the flights to and fro the summer capital of the sate would remain suspended till September 17 as the authorities hope to finish upgradation and repairs at the Valley’s international airport by the date.

It’s for the first time in last 11-years that the air traffic was suspended in Srinagar. Earlier it happened in 1999 during the Kargil War.

Director, Srinagar Airport, VK Gupta said that the repair works on the runway in Srinagar would take day or two more against the scheduled completion on September 15.

“The repair works are still unfinished and it may take day or two more against the scheduled,” he said

On suspension of the services, V K Gupta said that administration had expressed inability to ferry the passenger from Srinagar to Awantipora, leading to the decision.

An official spokesman, meanwhile said: “the upgradation of Srinagar International Airport is nearing completion and all the air services will resume from Srinagar airport with effect from September 17, day after tomorrow.”

On September 03, the civilian air traffic was diverted to Indian Air Force’s airport at Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district following the upgradation.

Most of the other airlines flying to Srinagar had already cut their operations till repairs were done at the Srinagar runways.

The international airport was tipped to be closed for 15 days with no flights from Awantipora. However, the state government pleaded with Ministry of Defence, which maintains the airport, to make available the flights from Awantipora especially for Eid festival.

The repair works were earlier scheduled to be done in June this year but it was postponed after state government pleaded the Centre that closure of airport would affect the tourist season. However, in wake of the unrest, bringing the tourist inflow to near zero, the defence authorities decided to carry the repairs from September 03. The authorities entrusted with the maintenance of the runway had set September 15 as the cut of date for the completion of the repair works.

The decision has left hundreds of people disappointed here especially those who had to return home yesterday.

Despite being allowed amid tightest curfew on Sunday last, hundreds of passengers had to return homes as all airlines ad cancelled Srinagar-bound flights.

APM fails to strike chord in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 15: The much talked about All Party Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over Kashmir failed to strike chord among separatists in the valley.

Chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani said there were “no expectations” from the meeting since onset. “Indian is discussing things that hardly matter in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The veteran said that instead of a positive response to the five conditions put forward by him, New Delhi was speaking ‘military language’ in the valley. “Kashmir has been turned into a jail,” he said.

Regarding a meeting with the All Party delegation, Geelani said decision if warranted would be taking after consultation with the other party members. “For a dialogue with New Delhi, it is necessary that they should first show a positive response to our demands,” he added.

The chairman of the parallel Hurriyat Conference faction, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that the whole exercise was futile. “One thing has been proved that India has no policy regarding Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said.

He said that the Indian parties have failed to capture an opportunity “to come with a strong policy on Kashmir”.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik too termed the meeting as “disappointing.”

On meeting the incoming delegates, he said, “If such an offer comes it will be subsequently taken into consideration. Right now it will be pre-mature to comment over it,” he said.

Force given license to kill innocents: Mirwaiz

Srinagar: Strongly condemning the “unprovoked” police firing in Mendhar Poonch, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday said the government had given the police and the troops a license to kill innocent civilians.

“The use of indiscriminate force on peaceful protesters in Mendhar that left five people dead and scores critically injured is yet another instance of the government seeking revenge upon a people, determined to achieve their freedom, by spilling their blood. This should be an eye-opener for all the civilized nations of the word,” Mirwaiz said in a statement issued here.

Mirwaiz while condemning the imposition of curfew in Kashmir and Muslim majority Poonch district in Jammu termed the restrictions on people which he said had led to an acute shortage of essential commodities as the worst kind of human rights violation.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir liberation Front chief, Mohammad Yasin Malik while condemning the Mendhar killings has said that so called rulers have given a free hand to forces for killings. “They have failed to curb the freedom struggle through force and are now resorting to tactics that would even put Hitler to shame,” Malik said, while referring to the civilian killings in Kashmir and Poonch and the imposition of strict curfew in the two regions. Malik said the ransacking of residential houses, arrests of youth, denying the people food supplies and medicines by imposing severe curbs and restrictions had put a severe question mark over India claiming to be the world’s largest democracy. He also condemned the “undemocratic” curbs imposed on the media in Kashmir and urged the Indian civil society, human rights groups and international community to take a strong notice of the worsening human rights violation in Kashmir.

(Curtsy ....PBI.... pix Zulfiqar Khan)