On a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “deep concern and pain” over the prevailing situation in Kashmir, normal life continued to remain out of gear in the Valley for the 45th consecutive day, albeit a
relatively peaceful day passed with no untoward incident. The protests and clashes, however, continued in various parts of valley amid curfew and restrictions.
The old parts of Srinagar city continued to remain under curfew after the latest killing of 19-year-old youngster Irfan Fayaz Wani who was hit with pellets in malarta pocket of old Srinagar on Sunday evening. Thousands of people attended Wani’s funeral prayers late in the night before he was buried in martyr’s graveyard at Eidgah where most of the civilians and militants killed during the past 27 years are buried.
With Wani’s death, the civilian toll in Kashmir during the current unrest has gone to 64 including three women while two policemen have also lost their lives during clashes with protesters.
On Monday, policemen appeared in several localities of Jawahirnagar, Rajbagh and Batmaloo and asked the shopkeepers to open their shops. This is in contrast to the police practice in previous days when they would arrive in the morning to scare away the shopkeepers. Sources said that some Government employees were also seen attending to their duties in civil lines area, first time during the past one and a half month.
The curfew continued in most parts of Srinagar and Anantnag town while curfew like restrictions remained imposed in other major towns and areas in south, central and north Kashmir. The night curfew remains imposed in Srinagar since last Wednesday (Aug 17). Similar restrictions on the movement of people, public and goods transport during late evening and
night hours are in force in north Kashmir’s Sopore, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara areas.
Reports said protest rallies were also held in various areas in south and north Kashmir areas. Over two dozen persons sustained injuries when clashes erupted between army and police allegedly vandalized the canopies, other logistical items put up for the proposed ’referendum rally’ at Ganapora area in south Kashmir’s Shopian.
Similar separatist sponsored also joined by local Sikh population was foiled in Seer Saali village of Aishmuqam area in Anantnag district. However, local Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee official alleged that security forces desecrated the local Gurdwara by smashing its windowpanes and lobbed teargas shells on people in the village. locals alleged that security forces set ablaze the tents and other logistical items for the proposed rally.
A well-attended rally was organized at Haaripaarigam area of Tral town in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Clashes between protesters and security forces were reported from the area.
The day also witnessed peaceful protest rallies in various areas in north Kashmir’s Sopore, Palhallan and Bandipora areas.
Reports said a rally was organized at Seklo Kulgam while clashes were reported from various areas in South Kashmir’s Kulgam and Pulwama districts. Reports said hundreds of people held rally after mid-day prayers and raised pro-freedom slogans. However, security forces swung into action and fired tear smoke shells to quell the protesters that resulted into clashes in the area. A protest rally with people riding on tractors and motorcycles marched through the inner streets of Aloosa village of Bandipora.
Doctors and paramedical staff of several district hospitals held peaceful protest demonstration against the use of pellet guns and continuous alleged harassment and assault on medical staff and ambulances at the hands of police and security forces. The protests were held in Pulwama, Kangan, Anantnag, Pampore and Kupwara.