A day after the all-party meeting in New Delhi chaired by Prime Minister urged restoration of peace in embattled Kashmir, the security forces remained on tenterhooks on Saturday to foil separatists’ “referendum march” in lal Chowk area of capital Srinagar. Curfew was strictly imposed and no vehicular or pedestrian movement was allowed towards lal Chowk where the separatists’ had planned an assembly.
The day began on a gloomy note as a youngster Suhail Ahmad Wani succumbed to his injuries after battling for life since August 2. Wani was wounded in a shootout when security guard of a middle-rung officer opened fire on a group of protesters at lethpora village in Pulwama district. One youngster had died on the spot there.
After Wani’s body reached his native village, massive protests erupted again in the area and people blocked vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Jammu National highway for several hours. Fifty-five civilians, mostly teenagers have died here since July 8 when security forces killed top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani that led to unprecedented anti-India uprising. Two policemen have also died in the turmoil while around 7,000 people, both protesters and security personnel, have been wounded.
Reports of massive clashes between protesters and security forces erupted from several areas despite curfew and shutdown. The authorities detained senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who attempted to march towards lal Chowk from their respective residences but they were not allowed to proceed. Most of the separatist leaders have either been taken into custody or detained at their residences.
Normal life remained paralysed on 36th consecutive day due to official restrictions and separatist-sponsored shutdown. The stand-alone train between Banihal and Baramulla has not chugged since July 9, the longest halt since the rail services were introduced in Kashmir in 2010.
Sources said that in view of separatists’ “referendum march”, the authorities asked Internet Service Providers to close down.
Source said scores of policemen, including an officer, were injured in clashes in Bandipora district. A police constable was hit by stone. He was airlifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment.
Amid heightened tension, the full dress rehearsals were organised in Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium and other venues of the Independence Day parade at all district headquarters of the Valley.