At least three protesters were killed as security forces opened fire to quell massive protests in Kashmir Valley on Friday. The separatist groups had called for a march towards Hazratbal shrine as part of continued protests in the Valley, which erupted after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
With the fresh killings, the civilian death toll in the ongoing Kashmir unrest has reached 53. Two policemen have also been killed.
Reports said over 150 people, sustained injuries with some critically injured across Kashmir Valley. One civilian Mohammad Maqbool Wagay of lolipora Chadoora Budgam was killed and 35 others were injured when intense clashes erupted between protesters and the security forces in Chadoora area of Budgam. Another man Sameer Ahmad Wani of Malnoor who was critically injured at Khan Sahib area of the district later succumbed to his injuries at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar.
Danish Rasdool Mir of Wagoora was critically injured at north Kashmir’s Sopore town during clashes. He later died at Sub- District Hospital, Sopore.
The authorities had imposed curfew and restrictions under Section 144 across Kashmir Valley to foil the ‘Dargah Hazratbal March’ in Srinagar called by the “unified separatist leadership”.
The authorities detained separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq outside their residences and prevented them from moving towards the Hazratbal Shrine.
Elaborate security arrangements had been put in place to maintain law and order. The Friday congregational prayers were not held at Jamia Masjid, Naqshband Sahib and Dastgeer Sahib shrines in Srinagar for the fourth-consecutive Friday.
The congregational prayers were not held at Hazratbal Shrine for the first time in the recent past.
There was no let-up in the protests, rallies and clashes that were reported from many areas in south, north and central Kashmir areas including Srinagar city on the 28th day of continued shutdown. Reports said thousands of people chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans participated in protest rallies after Friday congregational prayers were held across Valley.
Protests were held in Budgam district where protesters reportedly attacked the house of legislator Hakim Mohammad Yasin.
Protest demonstrations were held and intense clashes erupted in several downtown and uptown areas in Srinagar district. At some places including Nawa Kadal and Soura, people tried to take out marches towards Dargah Shrine as called by the separatists but were disallowed by the police and security personnel. Similar protests were reported from Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Protest rallies were held and later clashes erupted between young protesters and the security forces in various areas in south Kashmir’s Bijbehara, Tral besides other areas in Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama districts.
In north Kashmir, protest rallies were taken out in Kunan Poshpora and Trehgam areas in Kupwara district. Atleast 20 protesters, one of these critical were reported having sustained injuries in Zurhama, Awoora and Kralpora areas in the district. Several injured were referred to Srinagar hospitals.
Similar rallies were taken out in north Kashmir’s Goshbugh near Palhallan Pattan areas. Sopore town and its adjacent areas in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district also witnessed protest rallies and clashes between protesters and security personnel were reported from the areas. Many people were reported having sustained injuries, two of these critically and referred to Srinagar hospitals. Reports said people marched on the roads of north Kashmir’s Bandipora after Friday prayers that was followed by clashes between protesters and the security forces.
Meanwhile, senior PDP leader and MP Tariq Hameed Karra in a statement said that “It is very unfortunate and insensitive on part of the people at the helm of affairs that they still don’t understand the gravity of the slipping situation.” He said, “there is no serious and sincere effort to douse the anger of the people in general and the youth in particular.” Karra said that “on the contrary, the provocative statements and gestures exhibited by the responsible
people further provoke the masses thereby flaring up the anger.” Karra termed PM Modi’s silence as “criminal” thereby giving an impression of his “tacit” approval for the “barbaric oppression, repression and suppression by the forces on Kashmiri civilians.”