Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 21: A 25-year old protester was killed this evening after he was hit by a tear smoke shell fired by security forces at Malarata area of Srinagar, taking the death toll in the 44 days of violence in Kashmir to 68.
Elsewhere, curfew was imposed in Srinagar city and other major towns of Kashmir for 44th day today and shutdown affected life in other parts where over 150 people were injured as clashes broke out at several places despite curfew.
Irfan Ahmad, 25, died in SMHS hospital Srinagar where he was shifted for treatment after being hit by a teargas shell on the chest during clashes between security forces and protesters in Fateh Kadal of Srinagar city.
A group of protesters defied curfew in the area and carried out a protest march. Protesters pelted stones at security forces and they fired tear smoke shells to disperse them. Irfan Ahmad of Malarata locality was hit by a tear smoke shell on his chest and he was removed to hospital where he died. The death of the protester led to further protests in several parts of Srinagar city.
Around 75 people were injured at Behrampora village of Sopore in district Baramulla after people clashed with Police. Clashes broke out after protesters attacked Police and SOG vehicles who tried to clear Rafiabad-Sopore road that was blocked at Behrampora by protesters. Around 75 injured have been admitted to Dangiwacha hospital and nine injured have been shifted to District Hospital Baramulla.
Nine persons including two women were injured as clashes broke out at Hiagam on the National highway in Baramulla district this afternoon. Police fired tearsmoke and used pellets to disperse the protesters in which 9 were injured.
Several people were injured when a marriage party was targeted by security forces at Trumgund village of Baramulla district near Srinagar-Baramulla Highway this afternoon.
A youth, Parvaiz Ahmed Naikoo suffered pellet injury in his chest and was later admitted to SDH Kreeri in Baramulla district.
Two mutton shops were mysteriously gutted during the intervening night of August 20 and August 21. At around 3.30 a.m fire broke out in the main market of Pattan town of district Baramulla in which two shops owned by Mohammad Shaban Gojri and Ghulam Ahmad Ganai were gutted.
Security personnel thrashed one Qari Naseer Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Halmatpora village of Kupwara at Sopore this morning. He was travelling in a car to Srinagar along with four police men. They were stopped by the Army and Sheikh was singled out and thrashed. He was admitted to Sub-district hospital Kupwara.
Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, an employee at Ramzana Hospital was also beaten up by security personnel on the Sopore By-Pass while he was returning from Kupwara.
Dozens were injured after clashes broke out in Bijbehara, Achhabal and Kulgam of South Kashmir today. Two protesters received pellet injuries at Mominabad Anantnag today and one of them has been shifted to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar.
A statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters, Kashmir said that three incidents of stone pelting were reported from Ganderbal and Sopore today.
“These incidents were reported from Kangan in Ganderbal, Trumgund and Behrampora in Sopore. The miscreants assembled on roads and pelted stones on police and security forces”, police said.
The statement further said apart from these incidents, the situation remained under control across the Valley till the filing of this report. The restrictions under section 144/Cr PC remained in force in the Valley. “However, curfew was imposed in the Srinagar city, Anantnag and Pampore only”, said the statement.
Curfew remained strictly in force in Srinagar including city Centre Lal Chowk and other major towns of the Valley. Thousands of police and CRPF personnel were deployed in Srinagar city to prevent protests while night curfew remained imposed in several parts of Kashmir including city centre Lal Chowk.
All the entry and exit points leading to Lal Chowk were sealed off by security forces with razor wires, barricades and mobile bunkers were stationed there and the movement of people and vehicles was completely restricted.
The curfew in Srinagar’s old city, Maisuma, Batamaloo and other areas also remained imposed strictly as thousands of forces personnel in riot gear guarded the streets since dawn.
The major towns were also sealed by security forces and no movement was allowed.
Besides curfew and protests, the shutdown continued across Kashmir Valley. Shops, commercial establishments, educational institutions and most of the banks remained closed.
Police in several parts of Srinagar city threatened the shopkeepers who tried to open shops in the evening. Police for last one week has been forcing the shopkeepers against opening the shops. A shopkeeper said that police threatened them that cases will be registered against them if they open their shops.
The closure of shops has led to problems faced by the people as they are running out of stock including essentials.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained suspended for 44th day today and major roads in Kashmir also remained shut as protesters have blocked them at several places.
The pre-paid mobile services and mobile internet continues to remain shut across Kashmir valley.
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