Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 4: Around 100 people including police and para-military force personnel were injured as clashes broke out at several places across Kashmir amid curfew in parts of Valley and shutdown continued for 27th day today since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month.
At least 17 persons were injured during clashes between protesters and security forces in Chotipora, Handwara in Kupwara district of North Kashmir today.
Seventeen persons including five girls and 12 boys were injured during the clashes in Chotipora area of district Kupwara. The injured were rushed to district hospital Handwara while one among them who had sustained pellet injuries was referred to Srinagar’s SMHS hospital.
Clashes broke out in the locality after men and women took to streets to protest against the killings in Kashmir. Security forces tried to disperse the protesters who pelted stones on them leading to clashes.
Over a dozen protesters were injured as police and paramilitary forces fired tear smoke shells and pellets at protesters in Sarendoo area of Kulgam district of South Kashmir. Hundreds of people assembled in Yaripora, Frisal and other adjoining areas and staged massive protests. Security forces resorted to teargas shelling and pellet firing against the protesters, injuring over a dozen.
At D K Marg in Kulgam, security forces resorted to teargas shelling and pellet firing against the protesters, resulting in injuries to around 10 of them. Reports of protests were also received from Qoimoh area of Kulgam as well.
At Srigufara in Anantnag, at least 20 persons, five of them with pellets, were injured when security forces used force against the protesters who took to streets in the area. The injured were admitted to nearby hospital.
Over a two dozen protesters were injured in clashes in Shopian district and 10 among the injured were shifted to PHC Pinjora for treatment. The protest erupted in Bongam and Bonbazar areas of the district after security forces intercepted a protest rally heading towards the Shopian town. They fired tear-smoke shells and pellets to disperse the protesters. Over two dozen protesters were injured and they have been hospitalized.
Reports from Baramulla district said that several persons were injured as police and CRPF used force against protesters. A youth suffered pellet injuries at Bomai Sopore and at Warpora. Few youth were injured during clashes with security forces.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people in several areas of the old city Srinagar took to streets and held protest. The clashes erupted as soon after deployments were withdrawn in the evening. Several people are reported to be injured.
In the evening clashes erupted between stone throwing prostesters and police at posh Rajbagh area. Dozens of youth appeared near the Zero bridge Rajbagh and pelted stones on police. However, they swung into action and dispersed the youth.
Curfew remained in force in Anantnag, Shopian and Pampore towns of South Kashmir, Khanpora town in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district and in six police station areas of Srinagar.
The restrictions on the assembly of four or more people under section 144 CrPC have been imposed in the rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure. The security forces were deployed in strength in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.
The Valley observed shutdown, protests and curfew for 27th day today. Schools and colleges remained closed. The attendance in the government offices was negligible in Srinagar city and other parts of Kashmir valley.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained disrupted for 27th day today and major roads and highways also remained shut. The authorities have for the first time thrown open Srinagar-Qazigund highway open for day traffic under tight security.
The shops, business establishments and most of the banks remained shut with only some shops selling essentials opened in the early morning and late evening and people were seen busy in buying essentials.
The prepaid cell phone services and mobile internet continues to remain blocked across Valley and only BSNL broad band internet services are functional.
In the meantime, Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq remained under house arrest.
The separatists have issued fresh strike and protest pragramme this evening for one week beginning from August 6 to August 12.
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