Kashmir Erupts Again: Four More Killed
By Sheikh Imran Bashir
13 August, 2010
Agence India Press
Srinagar: Four people were killed on Friday when security forces fired bullets and tear-gas shells at protesters in north Kashmir's Pattan, Kupwara and Sopore areas.
A confrontation took place between the CRPF and devotees around 5:30 am in north Kashmir's frontier district of Kupwara, 120 km north of Srinagar.
Scores of people attending worship, coming out of a mosque after the Dawn Ramadan prayers, were stopped by the CRPF personnel on the excuse of security restrictions imposed in the area. Officially no curfew was declared in Kashmir on Friday.
Locals told Agence India Press over the phone that the prayers of Mirpora mohalla mosque in Trehgam entered into an argument with CRPF personnel for not allowing them to move freely.
Angry security personnel fired on the worshippers killing a Class 10th student, Mudasir Ahmad Zargar, on the spot and 60-year-old woman, Jana Begum, also received bullet wounds in the firing.
After the morning prayers, people demonstrated in Pattan, north Kashmir, security forces in order to impose curfew in the area to contain swelling protests fired at demonstrators. In which two persons received bullet injuries, critically wounded 60 year old man Ali Mohammad Khanday, and was shifted to SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) hospital. Khanday later succumbed to his injuries.
In Sopore, north Kashmir, security forces fired at a peaceful procession where protesters were raising pro-freedom slogans.
Two residents of Bomai in Sopore, Arif Ahmad Mir and Sameer Lone, were hit by bullets fired by the security forces. Four people were injured in the firing.
Locals said, as a pro-freedom procession was being taken out at Bomai near the town this afternoon, CRPF personnel belonging to the 92 Battalion camp opened fire on the procession, killing two persons and injuring two others.
In Baramulla town, two protesters jumped into river Jhelum when chased by security forces. The protesters were able to make it to the banks.
The local authorities decided to impose curfew in Baramulla and neighbouring areas of Handwara and Sopore.
With the death of four more people, the death toll since June 11 has reached 57.
Hundreds of protesters raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans later came into the streets to protest the killing, defying security restrictions.
There have been several clashes in Srinagar between security forces and protesters.
Reports reaches to Agence India Press says, that fresh protests erupted throughout Kashmir region as the news about civilian killings in Kupwara, Pattan and Sopore spread. At least two persons have been wounded when police and paramilitary forces opened fire on a group of protesters at Nowhatta in old city of summer capital.
Earlier, thousands of people converged on the historic Jamia Masjid in the old city where prayers were offered for the first time after nearly two months because of curfews and security restrictions.
But violence broke out after prayers and police said one person was critically wounded by security forces in clashes in the old city area of Srinagar.
Protests and stone pelting have been reported from many localities, including Nowhatta, Saraf Kadal, Gojwara, Fateh Kadal, Eidgah, Safa Kadal, Chattabal, Nawab Bazar and other uptown localities.
However, protests are reported from Baramulla, Pattan, Bandipora, Kupwara, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and other towns.
A large mob of protesters also marched towards Jahangir Chowk in Srinagar from the uptown Batmaloo locality.
Kashmir has been in the throes of violent anti-India protests since June 11, which have claimed 57 lives and left scores others wounded. The ongoing protests are part of “Quit Kashmir" campaign launched by Hurriyat groups.
