Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 24: A protester was killed and 60 others were injured across Kashmir during clashes between protesters and security forces taking the death toll in violence to 68.
An 18-year-old Amir Gul Mir, son of Ghulam Muhammad Mir of Ratnipora Pulwama was killed after he suffered multiple pellet injuries during a protest at Pinglina village of Pulwama in South Kashmir. Around two dozen protesters were also injured as police fired dozens of tear smoke shells and pellets as well to foil violent protests.
Amir was shifted to SMHS hospital in Srinagar for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries, taking death toll in the unrest to 68 including two police men.
Amir was most wanted stone pelter in Pulwama and he had recently been discharged from hospital where he was treated for injuries he suffered after security forces allegedly opened fire on a group of protesters at Lelhar and Kakapora area of of Pulwama district on February 14 this year. His spleen was removed as he was hit by a teargas shell in his abdomen and it was ruptured.
On February 14 this year, an encounter took place between security forces and militants in Lelhar area of Pulwama. A girl and a boy were killed and Amir was injured when residents of the area pelted stones at the security forces.
Police said that at Pinglina, Pulwama miscreants assembled on road and started heavy stone pelting on the police and security forces deployment. “In order to clear the road and chase the miscreants, police and security forces were compelled to use some force, which caused injuries to few miscreants. One of them identified as Amir Gul Mir son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir resident of Ratnipora succumbed to his injuries. In this incident a number of police and security forces personnel were also injured”, police said.
Curfew was re-imposed in Pulwama following massive protests at several places. According to District Magistrate, Pulwama, Muneer-ul-Islam restrictions have been imposed in all parts of the district from August 25 from 4 am till further orders. “No person except ill persons or otherwise allowed by the Magistrates shall be allowed to move”, an order issued by the District Magistrate said.
In Srinagar, situation took an ugly turn after security forces thrashed three motorcycle-borne youth in downtown area of Srinagar this morning. People in large numbers came out and protested against the security forces. Security forces fired tear smoke to disperse the protesters. Thirteen protesters were injured and two were treated at SMHS hospital.
Security forces today fired in air this morning in Batamaloo area of the Srinagar.
Reports quoting locals said that people were busy with buying eatables during which the forces resorted to aerial firing to disperse the people in the locality.
However, no injury was reported during the incident.
Protests broke out at several places in old city areas of Srinagar soon after the deployment of the security forces was withdrawn. Police fired tear smoke shells to quell the protests. Several protesters were injured in the clashes.
The Border Security Force and police this evening sealed Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas and imposed night curfew in the area. The security forces closed the roads with concertina wires.
Several protesters were injured in clashes with security forces at Lalpora in Lolab area in Kupwara district and in Tral area of Pulwama district. The clashes also erupted at Azad Gunj in Baramulla. Reports said that dozens of persons were injured in clashes at Narbal area of district Budgam here.
Police said that eight incidents of stone pelting were reported from Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts today.
“Except for these incidents, overall situation across the valley remained under control till filing of this report. Apart from some police stations of Srinagar and Anantnag there was increased movement of traffic on roads in rest of the Valley”, police said.
The curfew in parts of Kashmir and shutdown continued for 47th day today and security forces were seen patrolling the curfew bound and sensitive areas of Kashmir.
Shops, commercial establishments, education institutions and most of the banks remained closed. The Government offices including Civil Secretariat continued to witness low attendance.
Although National Highway has been restored for day traffic but only few vehicles were seen plying on it. The major roads in Kashmir continued to remain blocked as protesters have erected barricades at several places.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla continue to remain disrupted for 47th day today.
The prepaid mobile services and mobile internet services also continued to remain blocked as precautionary measures to prevent violence.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel