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Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: A man who was injured last week in security forces firing today succumbed here while 30 persons including one dozen security men were hurt in clashes between security forces and protesters as shutdown and curfew entered second month following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 while National Highway was re-opened for traffic during the day time for the first time in one month and imposed night curfew on it.
Amir Bashir Lone, 17, was seriously hurt on Friday last week when security forces used teargas and fired pellets to disperse protesters in Sedow area of Shopian district. He had sustained pellet injuries in his head and he breathed his last this morning at SKIMS hospital in Soura area of Srinagar.
The killing sparked off protests in his village and adjoining areas as thousands of people attended his funeral. The death toll since July 8 has now climbed to 56 in the violence during which over 7000 people were also injured.
The curfew, shutdown and protests continued across Kashmir valley today for 31st day. The curfew in old city, Maisuma and Batamaloo areas remained in place to thwart possible protests while rest of the city observed shutdown.
Protests took place in HMT and Lawaypora in the outskirts of Srinagar city this evening. Several protesters were injured as security forces fired tear shells to disperse them.
Clashes broke out in Dalgate area of Srinagar after security forces fired tear smoke shells to disperse protesters. The protesters pelted stones at the Police and CRPF.
Eight persons including women were injured when police and CRPF beat up people at Simthan village of Bijbehara area of South Kashmir after protests. Police fired pellet guns resulting in the injuries to 8 persons.
A Police spokesman said: “A group of miscreants assembled near village Simthan on National Highway and tried to block it by placing wooden logs and obstacles to restrict the vehicular traffic movement. The miscreants also smashed the panes of some vehicles and tried to stop the vehicles/trucks carrying essential commodities.
“The police party headed by SHO Bijbehara visited the spot to ensure smooth vehicular movement on National Highway, following which the miscreants resorted to stone pelting upon the police/security forces due to which 12 police/security personnel were injured. In order to clear the National Highway and ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic, the Police/Security forces were compelled to use mild force, which caused injuries to eight miscreants/stone pelters. Two of them were referred to SMHS/SKIMS for further treatment, and the condition of both is stable.”
In the meantime, National Highway was re-opened for traffic for the first time since July 9 during the day. Army convoy that was plying the highway during midnight today started from North Kashmir at 6.30 a.m as Army took positions at vantage points to prevent any disruptions on the highway.
Police and CRPF was deployed in full strength at places wherever they apprehended protests on the Highway. The trucks that were in Srinagar, Pantha Chowk and Letpora areas were also moved towards Jammu. At some places protesters tried to block the National Highway but they were chased away by police and CRPF.
The security forces imposed night curfew on the movement on National Highway to prevent night protests and blockades.
The Valley observed shutdown, protests and curfew for 31st day today. Schools and colleges remained closed. The attendance in the Government offices was negligible in Srinagar city and other parts of Kashmir valley they were mostly closed.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained disrupted for 31st day today and major roads remained shut due to blockades by protesters.
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 broadband internet services are functional.
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