Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

45 dead in 14 days: Curfew continues to paralyse Kashmir

July 22, 2016 18:55 IST

Fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in Kashmir after Friday prayers killing one youth, raising the death toll to 45 in the unrest that erupted two weeks ago, even as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit the Valley on Saturday.

IMAGE: Youths defy curfew and throw stones on Security forces during clashes in Srinagar on Friday. Photograph: PTI

As the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party government battles the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter, Singh will be in Kashmir for two days in a bid to calm down tensions and reach out to people in the first high level visit from the Centre after violence broke out on July 8.

After a brief spell of relative calm, reports of stone pelting were received from many places in the curfew-bound Valley, mostly in Baramulla, Kupwara and Pulwama districts, as clashes continued through the evening.

Curfew remained in force in all 10 districts of the Valley due to apprehension of law and order problems in view of large gatherings for Friday prayers.

A youth identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat sustained severe injuries in the abdomen after being hit by pellets during protests at Chursoo in Awantipora area of Pulwama on Friday afternoon after prayers, a police official said.

He said Bhat was rushed to SMHS hospital but succumbed to injuries.

IMAGE: Nasir, five-year-old, was injured in protests at Kokarnag. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com

This was the first death in fresh clashes in the Valley since Monday when three persons were killed in army firing at Qazigund in Anantnag district.

Two other persons were brought to SMHS hospital on Friday with pellet injuries -- one from Kakapora in Pulwama district and other from Sopore town of north Kashmir Baramulla district, the official said.

He said the condition of Asif Ahmad, who was injured during clashes in Kakapora, was critical while Aaqib Ahmad from Sopore was stable.

Earlier in the day, a youth succumbed to his injuries sustained in clashes a few days ago.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad, injured in clashes at Kokernag area of Anantnag district, died at SKIMS hospital, Soura on Friday morning.

IMAGE: People offer funeral prayers for Mushtaq Ahmad, a civilian, who according to local news reports died during clashes with police during a protest in south Kashmir's Pulwama. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters

Although no incident of violence was reported on Thursday, authorities clamped curfew in all 10 districts of Kashmir as a precautionary measure on Friday, a police official said.

“Large gatherings are expected during Friday prayers which usually turn into violent protests,” the official said.

Authorities had eased curfew in four districts -- Baramulla, Bandipora, Budgam and Ganderbal – on Thursday to facilitate reopening of schools.

However, most of the schools in these districts remained closed as parents chose not to send their wards due to security apprehensions.

IMAGE: Police stand guard in Srinagar during the curfew. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com

Mobile telephony and mobile internet services remained suspended for the 14th day on Friday. Normal life remains paralysed for two weeks now due to curfew and a separatist-sponsored strike.

Singh, who will reach Srinagar around 11 am, will first interact with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and senior officials and review the law and order situation.

After that, he will meet representatives of political parties, social organisations and leading citizens to get their feedback about the Kashmir situation as well as future roadmap, official sources said in Delhi.

Singh will stay at Nehru guest house in Srinagar, where he will meet the public representatives.

 

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.