Protests erupted in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday following death of a youngster who was hit by a bullet when paramilitary personnel opened fire to quell a protest on the situation in Palestine.
Sources said a group of youngsters held a protest demonstration against recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, at Khudwani village in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday afternoon. The protesters chanting anti-Israel and anti-India slogans were waylaid by CRPF personnel deployed in the area in strength. As the marchers insisted to proceeding forward, the CRPF men fired teargas shells and automatic weapons to disperse them. During the process, a bullet hit 15-year-old Suhail Ahmad lone above his abdomen. He was immediately shifted to a hospital in Anantnag town where he succumbed to injuries.
Khudwani and adjoining areas were tense since Friday when massive protests were held in response to a call given by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani. Four youngsters were wounded in the village on Friday in police action. One of the wounded was shifted to Srinagar in a critical condition.
Police described the death as “unfortunate incident of firing”. “The circumstances leading to the incident of firing are being enquired into. Police have registered an FIR in the Incident and matter is being probed”, a police spokesman said.