Unknown persons snatched the service rifle of the security guard of a former Communist legislator in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.
Reports said unknown persons snatched the service rifle (AK 47 along-with more than two dozen rounds) of the Personal Security Official (PSO) deployed with the former Communist Party of India legislator Abdul Rehman Tukroo in Shopian district of south Kashmir.
Some reports said the person involved in the act has been identified and is a relative of the MlC.
Meanwhile, the authorities imposed curfew at Qaimoh town of Kulgam and Khag pocket of central district Budgam to thwart protest rallies called by separatists. Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in Wakura area of Ganderbal to prevent pro-azaadi march.
However, forces deployed in strength in the areas imposed restrictions to curtail the movement of the people.
The clashes had erupted in the area last evening following the arrest of four youths in police raids.
The separatists, who are spearheading the current agitation in Kashmir, had asked people to march to various tehsil headquarters. The separatist leadership has been issuing weekly protest calendars since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8 that triggered massive protests in the valley.
Reports said clashes erupted in Hajin near Khankah Masjid after the security forces foiled a protest march in the area.
Meanwhile, normal life continued to remain affected in the Valley for the 82nd consecutive day. Though an increased movement of private vehicles was witnessed in capital Srinagar, shops, petrol pumps and other business establishments remained closed. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions also closed across the Valley. Public transport continued to remain off the roads.
While the train services between Baramulla in Kashmir and Banihal in Jammu region continued to remain suspended since July 9, the two-and-half kilometres long Jawahar Tunnel connecting Kashmir with Jammu region on Jammu-Srinagar national highway, has been shut for night traffic movement since August 19 in the wake of current unrest.
No major untoward incident was reported from any part of the Valley so far. As many as 87 persons including two policemen have been killed in the ongoing unrest that started after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8.
Over 12,300 civilians and 5600 security personnel have also been injured.
Meanwhile, CPI (M) State leader and legislator MY Tarigami accused the security forces of going “berserk” and damaging public and private property in Kashmir. Addressing a press conference he said the protectors of law have become law breakers and security forces are going berserk, damaging household items and beating inmates.
He said that trust cannot be built by indiscriminate use of ‘draconian laws’ against the people, arresting innumerable youth and suppressing the voices. He alleged that massive damages have been caused by the security forces to residential houses and vehicles across the valley on the pretext of dealing the protests, which is unwarranted and unfortunate. He also demanded setting up of judicial commission headed by retired Supreme Court Judge to ascertain the facts about civilian killings during ongoing unrest in Kashmir.