Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Apr 15: A youth was today killed and three others injured as security forces opened firing in Kupwara district of North Kashmir to disperse protesters who were pelting stones on an Army camp during a protest demonstration. And 60 people including 40 police men were injured in massive protests that broke out across Kashmir at many places today.
Protests rocked at many places in Kupwara and its adjoining areas to mark the fourth day of death of three persons who were killed in firing by security forces in Handwara town on Tuesday following allegations of molestation of a girl. However, girl denied any molestation attempt by Army jawan.
A police official said four persons were injured when security forces opened fire on a group of protesters who were pelting stones on an Army camp at Kupwara’s Natnusa area. Among the injured, a youth Arif Ahmad was injured critically and later succumbed. Two of the injured have been identified as Amir Ahmad Sheikh of Natnusa, Danish Ahmad Sheikh of Wadipora.
An Army spokesman said that troops were “forced to open controlled fire”. He said that Army exercised maximum restraint despite stone pelting by a large crowd. “Only when the mob stormed the Army post, Army was forced to open controlled fire in which some miscreants were injured”, he added.
A police spokesman said here that there were massive violent protests in Handwara and Kupwara areas today. The mobs attacked the police and security force establishments and deployments.
The spokesman said that more than 40 police and security force men were injured in these clashes. “Despite severe provocations the deployment on ground exercised maximum restraint. However, at one place Natnusa in Kupwara the mob tried to enter the forces camp and the Army had to resort to firing in which one person lost his life”, he added.
The spokesman said that the incidents of pelting were reported from Mir Mohalla, Hyhama Chowk, Kralpora in Kupwara, Kralgund, Magam in Handwara and Cement Bridge, Baramulla as well. “We appeal the public to maintain calm and not to resort to violence and attack security force and police establishments”, he added.
The situation in North Kashmir district of Kupwara worsened today following fresh casualties as more protests and clashes broke out.
Meanwhile, normal life in parts of Srinagar and in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district remained paralyzed due to the curfew like restrictions by the authorities to thwart any possible protests called by the separatists against the killing of four civilians in Handwara.
Authorities imposed restrictions in areas falling under the Police Stations of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Safa Kadal, Kralkhud and Maisuma. Curfew also continued to remain in force in Handwara, Langate and Kupwara towns of Kupwara district and Pulwama town in South Kashmir.
Police and paramilitary CRPF were deployed on the roads in sensitive areas and they blocked all the roads with steel barricades and concertina wires to curtail pedestrian and vehicular movement in these areas.
In old city Srinagar, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Habba Kadal and several other areas.
Hurriyat leaders and activists staged protest against the Kupwara killings at several places and some of them were detained by the police.
Hurriyat (G) and Democratic Political Movement (DPM) took out a protest rally at Hyderpora during which police fired tear smoke to disperse the protesters. Hurriyat (M) also staged protest at Dargah against the Kupwara killings. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) also staged protest rally at Abi Guzar, Srinagar against Kupwara killings. JKLF leaders Mushtaq Ajmal, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, Siraj u Din Mir along with dozens of the amalgam activists were detained by police as they tried to march towards Lal Chowk in protest against the killings.
Mobile and internet services remained suspended for the second consecutive day in Kashmir from Wednesday evening.
Kashmir University postponed its examinations that were scheduled to be held tomorrow and educational institutions in Kupwara district were also closed for tomorrow.
In the meantime, Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for shutdown in Kashmir against the fresh killing of a youth in Nutnusa village in Kupwara district.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, has expressed deep anguish over the unfortunate death of a youth at Natnusa, in Kupwara district today.
Sharing the grief of the victim’s family over the inconsolable loss, Mehbooba said she is extremely distressed as the circle of violence has consumed yet-another life of a young boy. “My heart goes out to the bereaved family of the boy who died in the prime of his youth,” she said.
The Chief Minister appealed to the general public to remain vigilant and maintain calm to defeat the nefarious designs of those who want to disturb peace in the State.
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