Amid a shutdown in Kashmir Valley against alleged civilian killings at the hands of security forces, a youngster was killed in central Kashmir’s Beerwah town, when Army opened fire on a group of protesters. Police confirmed that the youngster died from a firearm injury after troops opened fire following a cracker blast amid stone-pelting.
Sources said that soon after midday congregational prayers ended in the central Kashmir town, a group of youngsters staged protest against the Army for allegedly harassing the street vendors in the area. The Witnesses said that the youth also hurled stones on the Army.
They said the Army opened fire when the protesters were heading towards their camp in the area. The firing resulted into severe injuries to two youth. “One among the youth who had received bullet injuries in his head succumbed to his injuries,” locals said.
The slain youth was identified as Tanveer Ahmed, a resident of Arwah village in Beerwah.
locals said that no clashes were going on when Tanveer, a tailor by profession, was killed. Thousands of people took to streets after the killing the youngster.
A police spokesman said that as per initial information, a foot patrol of Army was returning to its camp and near Beerwah some miscreants pelted stones on them.
“Someone among these miscreants also hurled a fire cracker towards the Army men. The Army men thought a grenade was hurled and they retaliated. Two persons identified as Tanveer Ahmed Pala and Mohammed Ibrahim Wani were injured,” he said, adding that among them Tanveer succumbed to his injuries while Ibrahim is stable.
Reports quoting a senior police official said that an FIR has been registered against Army’s 53 RR over the killing of Tanveer Ahmad Wani.
The Army in its statement claimed that the protesters tried to snatch weapons from the soldiers. Colonial Rajesh Kalia, Defence spokesman in Srinagar said that an Army patrol was subjected to heavy stone pelting by a mob in Kondur village near Beerwah town at 13.15 hours. “In no time the numbers swelled and the intensity of stone pelting increased,” he said adding, “Some stone pelters tried to close in with the patrol and snatch weapons from the soldiers. Two persons were reportedly injured when troops opened fire. One of the injured, however, later succumbed to his injuries.”
Meanwhile, the authorities imposed curfew like restrictions in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of eight police stations while a complete shutdown was observed in rest of the Valley against the civilian killings and curbs in Kashmir.
Officials said that the restrictions under section 144 were imposed in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of eight police stations including Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Maharaj Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Ram Munshi Bagh.
The decision according to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad lone was taken as precautionary measure.
Witnesses said that all the roads leading towards UN office in Sonawar were sealed by the authorities.
They said that a heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on roads in Srinagar who had erected barbaric wires to thwart the vehicular and pedestrian movement.
“Nobody was being allowed to move towards the UN office here,” witnesses said.
Meanwhile, the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Old City continued to remain closed for the fifth consecutive Friday. The authorities barred people from offering congregational Friday prayers in the Jamia Masjid. The Joint Resistance leadership (JRl) comprising separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had called for a complete shutdown and UN march against the civilian killings and curbs on leadership in Kashmir.