Kashmir Unrest, 9 Killed In A Day
By Sheikh Imran Bashir
01 August, 2010
Agence India Press
Srinagar: Fresh violence has erupted in Kashmir and there is tension across the valley. At least 9 people, including a girl have been killed today in separate incidents of violence.
The hot spot of Sunday's anti-government protests was south Kashmir's saffron land Pampore, where four people were killed in the day-long violence. Angry mobs blocked the highway and tried to attack the local police station after torching the office and residence of a local magistrate (tehsildar).
The mobs also disarmed police officers who were guarding the office of another magistrate in the town.
"The police and security forces used baton charge and tear smoke shells to stop these mobs, In between they open fire on them, an official spokesman said.
Police also opened fire to quell a mob that attacked a police post and a police camp in the Khrew village, adjacent to Pampore, 25 miles from Srinagar, in which a 17 year old girl shot dead by police.
In the ensuing violence fire in an SOG camp in Khrew area triggered massive explosions resulting in the death of at least five more people.
Hundreds have been injured, many critically in day long violence across South Kashmir.
Reports reaches to Agence India Press, said the trouble started early morning when police and CRPF deployed in strength in the already tense area began smashing parked cars and thrashing any one who ventured out of his house to buy essentials.
This infuriated residents and large number of people, men women and children came out of their houses to protest.
As the death of youths reached Pampore virtually Whole Township came out on to the roads with women were beating their chests and men folk denouncing India. Protesters then went on rampage to vent their anger.
Flames began leaping from Tehsil office, court complex, R&B building, and PDD complex as protesters went on setting afire building after building and anything that symbolized government. Numbers of government vehicles too were set alight.
A large group of protesters tried to storm the local police station however police personnel resorted to massive firing and tear smoke shelling to keep protesters at bay.
However the station suffered extensive damage during the attack.
Meanwhile thousands of people from Samboora, Patli Bagh, Aloochi Bagh, Hatiwara, Barsoo, Galender, Kadalbal, Fristbal and adjoining areas chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans marched in defiance of curfew in a huge procession towards Pampore.
The highway remained blocked as sea of people swarmed from surrounding areas to join the demonstrations.
Srinagar till late in the night was reverberating with pro-freedom slogans and mosque loudspeakers were blaring revolutionary songs.
Reports from major towns also said of similar situation.
Earlier police opened fire in at least 14 places on Sunday in the valley.
In Srinagar curfew defiance continued through out the day.
With nine more deaths on Sunday the toll in past three days has shot up to 15.
In a separate incident of firing at Batmaloo here, two youth were injured critically late during the night protests, locals said.
"Police and paramilitary CRPF men opened fire at demonstrators near the Batmaloo Chowk injuring two youth critically. They were rushed to a hospital where doctors described their condition as critical," locals added.
On Friday, two people were killed in north Kashmir's Sopore and Pattan towns when security forces opened fire on protesters. Two more persons were shot dead Saturday in north Kashmir's Baramulla and Bandipora districts.
The turmoil erupted after a 17-year old student was killed by a police tear-gas shell in early June. A total of 30 civilians have now been killed in clashes with security forces, most of them as the result of police firing.
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