Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 14: Curfew continued in major towns of South Kashmir for third day today after Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani called for two day strike in Kashmir valley against killing of five persons in alleged security forces firing in Shopian during which at least one dozen persons were injured.
The curfew imposed in Shopian and Gagran towns in Shopian district, Kulgam and Kohimoh in Kulgam district and Pulwama and Kakpora in Pulwama district since early September 12 continued without any relaxation. The curfew like restrictions was also implemented strictly in Radwani and Khudwani in Kulgam district.
Police and para-military forces were deployed in full strength in curfew bound areas of South Kashmir towns and other sensitive places across Kashmir.
The residents in the curfew bound areas of South Kashmir alleged that they are facing shortage of essentials, including medicine and milk because of continued curfew restrictions.
However, an official said that district administration has asked people to contact police in case of any emergency.
The fresh trouble started after the killing of a school bus driver on September 10 when security forces opened fire to disperse demonstrators at Gagran, who were demanding removal of CRPF camp, allegedly involved in the death of four people on September 7.
Police confirmed that three of the youths killed in CRPF firing had no previous militancy record while the fourth a non-local was a militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). However, locals and a local Congress leader and former Minister Ghulam Hassan Khan said that fourth killed person was a Bihari labourer.
Following protests, authorities imposed curfew in Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam on September 8. However, curfew restrictions were lifted early September 10 morning.
Kashmir valley today observed strike against the killing of the five persons in response to a strike call given by Hurriyat Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Shops, business establishments, schools and Government offices across the Valley were closed while public transport was completely off the roads today.
Reports said that Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was injured after he was beaten up by protestors at village Memmender in district Shopian. Later, the Protestors torched his uniform.
One person was reportedly injured in Shirmal, Pulwama after police used force to disperse the protesters.
Clashes between angry protesters and Government forces also erupted in Kakapora town of Pulwama district in South Kashmir.
Minor clashes have been reported from Kaksarai, Nawab Bazar, Nowhatta, Kawdara and Maisuma locality in Srinagar city with youth clashing with police the by-lanes of congested neighborhood
There were reports of minor clashes from Mochwa in district Budgam in the outskirts of Srinagar this morning.
Reports said that two youth were injured in clashes that broke out between youth and security forces at Kurhama, Lar in district Ganderbal this afternoon.
Reports said that a group of youth took to streets and blocked Srinagar-Leh highway after a local youth Tariq Ahmad Bhat of Kurhama Lar was arrested when he was travelling in a passenger vehicle in the area.
As the news of the Tariq’s arrest reached the area, youth came out in large number and staged protests against the arrest. Police swung into action and fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Police fired pellets to disburse them during which two youth Riyaz Ahmad Ganai and Mohammad Yonus Ganai, both residents of Baroosa Lar were injured after. Locals said that Yunis was hit in the right eye. Both were rushed to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for treatment.
A group of youth pelted stones on the CRPF at Kangan in district Ganderbal. However they were chased away by the security forces.
At least three persons were injured after Police fired scores of tear smoke shells to quell the protesting youths and these clashes continued till evening at Bus Stand, Jamia Pull and Jehlum market in Baramulla.
A police spokesman said here that a boy Waheed Malik, 11, son of Abdullah Malik resident of Hajan who was on way from Hajan to Bandipora district, where he works as a waiter in a restaurant was seriously injured in the eye by a stone pelted by miscreants at main market Bandipora. “He has been referred to hospital for treatment”, the spokesman added.
“At Nasoo Bandipora one person was injured in a clash between stone pelters and people, who were objecting to the acts of the stone pelting miscreants. He has also been referred to hospital for treatment”, the spokesman said.
In the meantime, the Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, today began the inquiry into the killing of five persons in Shopian. In a notice issued today, he said: “The inquiry into the two firing incidents in Shopian has begun. We have issued a notice on Saturday and asked the witnesses to depose before the magistrate from Monday.”
Bhat said that eyewitnesses into the Gagran firing by CRPF can record their statements from Monday in Deputy Commissioner’s office at Shopian during the office hours. “My role is to submit the inquiry report as soon as possible and unearth facts of the case”, he added.
Bhat also said the CRPF camp from Gagran would be shifted within days once the new location is identified for the camp. “We are searching for a new location for the relocation of camp in and around Shopian,” he added.
Bhat said CRPF Director General (DG) is also in the town to identify the new location for the camp. “We have identified land near district police line (DPL), Shopian at Batapora, but the location is not suitable for the camp and there is already a 14 battalion CRPF camp,” he added.
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