Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 13:Two persons were killed and over 100 injured as protesters defied curfew at over 90 places across Kashmir on Eidul Adha today leading to massive clashes despite security forces taking assistance of drones and helicopters at many places.
For the first time, authorities today imposed curfew in entire Kashmir valley on Eid to prevent assembly of people in prayer grounds and major Masjids across the Valley in view of separatists call for march to the United Nations Military Observers office in Srinagar today. Helicopters and drones were seen hovering over at few places to keep vigil on the assembly of the people.
No Eid congregations were held at Eidgah and Hazratbal shrine and major prayer grounds and Masjids across Kashmir valley. However, people offered Eid prayers in local Masjids in interiors away from the main roads and market places.
The Internet services of all telecom networks and mobile telephony except BSNL post paid remained shut for the 72 hours to prevent escalation in violence.
Despite tough measures, people defied curfew at over 90 places across Kashmir forcing security forces to fire tear smoke, pellets, chilly grenades to foil these protests.
A protester was killed as clashes broke out between security forces and protesters in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district this morning. One Mustafa Mir, 22, son of Hameed Mir of Dachigam village of Bandipora was hit by a tear smoke shell as security forces fired tear smoke and pellets to disperse the protesters. Mir was declared brought dead at the hospital. Thousands of people attended funeral of Mustafa at the Eidgah later.
Clashes broke out in Bandipora after security forces prevented people from marching towards Eidgah where they were planning to offer prayers. Several protesters were injured in pellet and tear smoke firing.
A protester, Shabir Ahmad son of Mohammad Yousuf, resident of Nagbal village of Imam Sahib area was killed in clashes between security forces and protesters in Shopian district of South Kashmir today.
Six people were injured in the clashes that broke out in Shopian and they were rushed to PHC Harmain where Shahid was declared brought dead.
Around 20 protesters were injured at Memandar village in Shopian, two of them have been referred to Srinagar for treatment. Reports said that clashes broke out at Memandar after protesters pelted stones at security forces who fired tear smoke and pellets to disperse them.
At least 20 protesters were injured in clashes between security forces and protesters in Dooru area of Anantnag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district today. Clashes erupted after security forces tried to foil a protest march in Dooru area.
Over a dozen protesters were injured in Bijbehara area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district after security forces barred people from offering Eid prayers at Eidgah.
Residents of several villages around the Bijbehara town were planning to offer Eid prayers at Zirpora Higher Secondary Ground. However, security forces prevented them from reaching the ground, triggering clashes in which over a dozen persons were injured.
At least eight protesters were injured in clashes with security forces in Kulgam district of South Kashmir today. Reports said that clashes erupted after people defied curfew in Kulgam town. Security forces fired tear smoke and pellets to disperse the protesters in which 8 persons suffered pellet injuries.
At least 12 persons, including a woman, were injured after security forces allegedly barged into homes in Zallura village of Sopore in North Kashmir and beat up the inmates. Reports said that the injured included an 80-year-old woman Saja Begum.
Peaceful protests and clashes were reported from several areas of North Kashmir. However, situation was brought under control.
Protests broke out between protesters and security forces in Natipora and Humhama area today. People from Natipora and its adjoining localities took to streets after paying Eid prayers at their local mosques. Security forces fired teargas to disperse the protesters. In Humhama area, protesters clashed with security forces after offering Eid prayers a local Masjid. Several protesters were injured in the clashes.
Protests broke out across old city in the evening after the security deployment was withdrawn for the night. Protesters clashed with security forces for about an hour.
In the meantime, a police spokesman said here that in view of the UNO march call of some groups, curfew and restrictions were imposed in major parts of the Valley to avoid loss of life and property.
“Forty four incidents of stone pelting were reported from across the Valley till filing of this report. Despite serious provocations by the stone pelting mobs, the police and security force personnel exhibited maximum restraint”, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said: “In Bandipora, after Eid prayers miscreants assembled in large numbers and pelted stones on police and security force deployments. The police used some tear smoke ammunition in which one person identified as Murtaza Ahmad resident of Dachigam Bandipora got injured. The injured person was shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.”
“Body of Shahid Ahmad Seh son of Mohammad Yousuf Seh resident of Urpora Nagbal, Zainapora was found near village Largam. Some people carried his body to P H C Harmeen but people did not allow the post mortem of the body. It was alleged that he got injured in stone pelting incident at Bonbazaar Shopian. It is further reported that the youth was missing for last two days. The cause of the death of the said person is being ascertained. Police has taken cognizance of the matter and started investigation”, Police said.
“Meanwhile, reports of coercion by miscreants of forcing the shopkeepers to close their shops for Eid shoppers have been received from various places. The miscreants who indulged in pressurising the shopkeepers and vendors are being identified and they will be dealt with under law. General public is requested to help in identifying such miscreants”, the spokesman added.
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