Police, security forces installations and residences of pro-India politicians were attacked by angry protesters in Kashmir on Monday even as nine more people succumbed to injuries at various Srinagar hospitals taking the death toll to 30 since July 9, a day after security forces shot top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Kokernag area.
The authorities on Monday extended curfew-like restrictions in several parts of Srinagar and south Kashmir where fresh violence occurred resulting in casualties. Police said the overall situation remained tense but under control for the day.
Meanwhile, at least 13 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were injured on Monday evening in a grenade explosion in a police station in the old city area of Srinagar. A Srinagar police officer said that the agitated protesters were pelting stones in Nowhatta police station area.
However, reports said that protesters attacked several security installations, including an Indian Air Force outpost at Awantipora, a police post at Sopore and the residence of a ruling PDP legislator at Shopian.
Additional security forces have been deployed at sensitive areas even as normal life remained crippled for the third consecutive day due to separatists’ call for shutdown and security lockdown across the Valley.
The separatists have extended the shutdown call till July 13, which is officially marked as Martyr’s Day to commemorate the killing of 22 Kashmiris by feudal rulers in 1931. The separatists have asked the people to gather at Martyr’s Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib’s shrine in old Srinagar on July 13.
Police said the incidents of stone pelting were reported from Warpora, langate, Kralgund, Hajin, Kaloosa, Prichoo, Sheeri, Khanpora, Preng, Koil, Fruitmandi Sopore, Popchan, Hyderpora, Baghat Barzulla, Tengpora, Rambagh, Cement Bridge Baramulla, Tahab, Yaripora, Sangam, Bijbehara, Trehgam, Kralpora, Villgam, Shopian, Imamsahib and Gagran.
“Unruly mobs set on fire Police Post Fruit Mandi Sopore and Police Post litter. A number of police establishments were also attacked. Police and para-military personnel exhibited maximum restraint while dealing with the situation,” a police spokesman said.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti sought the cooperation of people in restoring peace and normalcy in Kashmir to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of public and private properties. She said the Government was taking various measures to restore calm and it needs support of the people in this endeavor.
“I appeal to all sections of the society to rise to the occasion and help the Government in restoring peace and normalcy in the wake of the prevailing law and order situation,” Mehbooba told a delegation of trade leaders, who met her here.
An official said that nine people from various districts of south Kashmir succumbed to injuries at two main hospitals in Srinagar since Sunday night taking the death toll to 30, including a woman and a cop. The cop had drowned in River Jhelum on Sunday when a mob waylaid his armoured vehicle and overturned it into the river. The protesters also attacked several local media personnel inside a hospital prompting separatist leader Yasin Malik to appeal for free movement of journalists. The protesters’ anger is aimed at national media, especially the news channels.
More than 300 people have been wounded in the violence since Saturday. Several people have received life-threatening wounds. A doctor at SMHS Hospital told The Pioneer that many wounded are nursing bullets in their spinal cord or have threat to lose eyesight due to pellet injuries in eyes. Though Government spokesman Naeem Akhtar announced that patients requiring advanced treatment would be airlifted outside the State, no patient has been provided the facility so far.
Sources said that thousands of people visited the residence of slain militant commander Burhan Wani on the third day at his residence at Sharifabad, Tral in south Kashmir. They said the mourners are pouring from Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda in Jammu province and lolab and Kupwara in Kashmir Valley.
The mobile telephony continued to remain suspended in four districts of south Kashmir and the internet facility remained snapped except for the broadband connections. The Kashmir University postponed exams for Tuesday.
Sources said the restrictions would remain implemented in sensitive localities on Tuesday. Most of the separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, have been either detained or put under house arrest. Police authorities have not revealed the number of people who have been detained but unofficial sources said that around 200 have been taken into custody.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to him. “HM @rajnathsingh spoke to me earlier today. I told him that until security forces exercise maximum restraint & stop killing protestors... this vicious cycle of violence would not stop. Only after the lethal use of force ends can we begin to pull the Valley back from the abyss. For our part @JKNC_ will play whatever role is required to help normalise the situation. But onus lies on state & central governments (sic),” Abdullah said in a series of tweets.