Protests continued in many parts of Kashmir valley on Tuesday as the unrest completed two months with no imminent end to the turmoil in sight. The separatists extended the shutdown calendar and asked the people to continue protest demonstrations even on Eid-ul-Azha being celebrated on September 13. The new calendar was issued on a day when another youngster died during a clash between protesters and security forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Sources said that around 150 persons were injured in clashes across the valley with several of them receiving critical wounds.
With the death of two more youths, the death toll has swollen to 74. The dead include two policemen while most of the slain civilians were teenagers who were either protesters or bystanders targeted by the security forces with pellet shotguns or automatic weapons. The unrest began on July 8 shortly after security forces shot dead Hizbul Mujahideen’s iconic commander Burhan Wani and his two associates in a brief encounter at Brazloo village in Kokernag pocket of south Kashmir. Thousands of civilians and security personnel have been injured during the turmoil that has brought the normal life to a grinding halt and rendered the coalition Government led by Mehbooba Mufti almost dysfunctional. Most of the pro-India politicians and workers have gone into hiding.
Sources said that 17-year-old Musaib Nagoo from north Kashmir Handwara area succumbed to his injuries on Monday night in a Srinagar hospital. Musaib was injured due to tear gas shell during clashes between protesters and security forces in Wadoora area of Sopore on September 04. Another youth Naseer Ahmad Mir, 20, was killed after he was hit by pellets during clashes between security forces and protesters in Seer Hamdan village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Reports said Naseer was hit by pellets causing multiple injuries to him and doctors declared him brought dead at Sub District Hospital.
Reports said at least 60 protesters were injured after clashes erupted in the area during night when security forces allegedly barged into residential houses and thrashed the inmates during nocturnal raids. locals alleged that forces even beat up women and elderly persons resulting in protests and clashes.