Massive protests erupted in Kashmir on Friday even as the authorities had to re-impose curfew on most parts of capital Srinagar and sensitive towns across the Valley to thwart separatists’ call for post-Friday-prayers’ protests. Sources said that around 80 people were injured in the clashes across the Valley, many with bullets and pellets fired by the security personnel to quell protests. This was the straight eighth Friday when massive clashes erupted across the Valley.
A police spokesman said that 35 stone pelting incidents were reported from Srinagar, Sopore, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kulgam and Kupwara till the last reports came in. “last evening some unknown persons set ablaze a Vocational Training Center (VTC) at Watergam in the jurisdiction of Police Station Dangiwacha, Sopore, resulting in complete damage to the structure,” a police spokesman said.
Thousands of people took to streets in Palpora village on the outskirts of Srinagar after the body of 12-year schoolboy Danish Sultan Haroon was fished out from River Jhelum. Haroon, people allege, was chased by security forces leading to his drowning. Three more youngsters swam to the shore and saved their lives.
With the death of minor Danish Sultan, the civilian death toll reached 69.
At least 12 persons sustained injuries when the funeral procession was allegedly intercepted by the police and security forces leading to clashes.
Several pro-azaadi protest rallies were held at Palhallan, Bandipora Nad and other areas. Over 30 persons were reported injured during clashes in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Clashes were reported from Hajin area with reports of at least 6 persons receiving injuries. At least 16 persons were injured in clashes in Beerwah area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Reports said three women received pellet injuries after they resisted the alleged ransacking of the houses and excesses by security forces in Hassanabad Mohalla of Beerwah. Clashes broke out between security forces and protesters near Hospital Road Shopian in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. Reports said four persons sustained bullet and pellet injuries. One youth identified as Omar has been hit in both the eyes by the pellets and is said to be in a critical State.
Reports said hundreds of youths participated in protest rallies in Srinagar’s Barzulla, Soura, Rainawari, Kaka Sarai and Shivpora areas. The authorities disallowed prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar on the 8th consecutive Friday since July 9. Several people were injured in clashes across Srinagar city.
Reports said that police went berserk in south Kashmir’s Bijbehara town after protesters burnt down effigy of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Bijbehara is the CM’s hometown but massive anti-Government protests were held in the ton during the past eight weeks.
With the death of minor Danish Sultan, the civilian death toll reached 69. Two policemen have also died since the start of the ongoing unrest a day after militant commander Burhan Wani was killed on July 08 in south Kashmir.
Earlier, the authorities on Friday re-imposed curfew in Srinagar city and most of district headquarters and towns of the Kashmir Valley to prevent protests and maintain law and order. The separatists had called for ‘tehsil-level Azadi march asking people to join from every mohalla, village and locality towards their respective Tehsil Headquarters and offer Friday prayers”. The restrictions under sec 144 remained in force in all sensitive areas.
The authorities had lifted curfew from all areas of Kashmir on Wednesday after 53 days of ongoing unrest since July 09. The normal life remained paralysed on the 56th consecutive day. The authorities have put most of the separatist leaders and prominent workers under detention. Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani in a statement said that no Kashmiri group would interact with all-party delegation led by home minister Rajnath Singh, which is arriving here on September 4.