A youngster was shot dead by security forces while quelling a protest in north Kashmir on Friday evening as normal life remained crippled in Kashmir valley on 77th consecutive day on separatist’s call who are seeking resolution of Kashmir issue.
The current unrest, third of a series of such public protests after 2008 and 2010, has claimed 87 lives since July 8 when spontaneous protests erupted in Kashmir following the killing of a popular militant leader Burhan Wani who was killed by security forces along-with his two associates in a fight in south Kashmir. Thousands of protesters have been injured, mostly hit by pellets during a campaign by the security forces to quell the uprising. The Fridays have been the bloodiest as large protest rallies erupted on this day after the congregational afternoon prayers. The authorities have disallowed congregational prayers in various central mosques including the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar for the past 11 weeks.
Reports said a column of army soldiers allegedly opened fire on protesters in the Rafiabad area in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district causing injuries to 21-year-old Waseem Ahmad lone who succumbed while on way to nearby hospital. locals claimed that there was no stone pelting in the area and Army allegedly opened fire without any provocation resulting in the killing of a youth who was working in his fields.
This is the 87th fatal casualty in Kashmir since July 8 that includes 85 policemen, mostly in the age group of 15 to 35 years and two policemen.
Meanwhile, the normal life continued to remain disrupted in the Valley for the 77th consecutive day. The authorities imposed curfew in areas under five old city police stations (Nowhatta, Maharaja Ranbir Gunj, Khanyar, Safa Kadal and Rainawari) and areas under Maisuma and Batmaloo police stations in uptown Srinagar. The curfew like restrictions had been placed in parts of Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam districts in south Kashmir.
Scores of protesters were injured during clashes in various parts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Anantnag, Baramulla while several rallies were foiled by the security forces.
Reports said at least seven civilians were injured in central Kashmir’s Chrar-e-Sharif area of Budgam district. Two of them were referred to Srinagar for advanced treatment as pellets had hit them in eyes.
A separatist rally was organized in Nowpora Pulwama that was attended by thousands of people. Similar kind of protest march was taken out from Tahab and Naira villages of Pulwama. Several persons were injured during the clashes between protesters and CRPF at Newa Pulwama. A peaceful protest was staged in Samboora Pulwama after Friday prayers. Clashes also erupted in Pampore area of Pulwama district.
Sources said that protesters abducted and later released a person who was clicking pictures of protesters in Natipora area of uptown Srinagar.