Two Killed In Fresh Kashmir Clashes By Sheikh Imran Bashir

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Two Killed In Fresh Kashmir Clashes

By Sheikh Imran Bashir

14 August , 2010
Agence India Press

Srinagar: Two youths were killed as fresh clashes erupted on Saturday between protesters and security forces in Kashmir, where 59 civilians have died during two months of unrest.

Authorities had imposed strict curfew in various parts of the Kashmir valley after fresh violence broke out yesterday in which four people were killed in police and CRPF firing. The killings came as people marked the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.

Scores of demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday to protest by defying strict curfew. Police used teargas shells and bullets to disperse the stone pelting protests in various towns.

A youth was killed and four others injured when police and paramilitary troopers opened fire at protesters in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday.

“Scores of people took to the streets near Laizbal this evening and tried staging a pro-freedom demonstration. Paramilitary troops and policemen resorted to indiscriminate firing to disperse the protesters killing Irshad Ahmed Latoo (23) son of Mohammad Ramzan Latoo of S K Colony on the spot and injuring four others. Four others were injured in the firing.

The killing sparked off violent protests and clashes between protesters and the forces in the district. Forces used tear smoke shells and fired warning shots in Lazibal, KP road, Cheeni chowk, Mattan chowk to disperse thousands of people protesting the killing. The clashes were going on when this reports was filled.

Another youth was killed and at least four others were injured in police and Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) firing in Central Kashmir's Narbal area. The slain youngman has been identified as Umar Dar, S/O: Mohammad Abdullah a resident of Narbal.

A five-year-old girl received eye injuries during stone pelting at Kulgam-Srinagar Road, said police.

Rohana, daughter of Mohammad Maqbool Mir of Nusoo Qazigund, Kulgam was ill and was being ferried towards Srinagar in a Sumo vehicle for check-up, they said.

According to Police spokesman the girl received eye injury in the stone pelting and was rushed to SMHS hospital from where she was shifted to SKIMS hospital for treatment.

In other incident youth was critically injured after paramilitary CRPF fired upon the protesters in North Kashmir's Singhpora Pattan on Saturday morning.

Eye witness told Agence India Press that CRPF fired upon the youth in head after hundreds of people staged peaceful demonstrations in Singhpora Chowk early in the morning.

The youth identified as Firdous Ahmad Khan was shot in head and was refereed to Srinagar hospital in critical condition.

However, people immediatley blocked the Baramulla-Srinagar highway and shout pro-freedom slogans. Protests was also taken to streets in Sopore, Baramulla and Kreeri.

But, police inits statement denied that the youth was shot by CRPF personel.

In a statement here, police said the 20-year-old was injured when he fell down on a stone, "when miscreants pelted stones on a convoy of forces passing through the area."

It said the injured has received "a scratch on the head" when he fell down on some stone.

Meanwhile Scores of people defied curfew and staged pro-freedom demonstrations in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore districts.

In Bandipore, hundreds of people of, Quil, Aloosa, Ashtangoo , Arin and neighbouring villages this morning took to streets and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the people were protesting the killing of four innocent civilians by troops and police last day.

Whileas, protesters reached near main market, CRPF and police deployed in the area lobbed many teargas shells to break up the demonstrations. In retaliation, youth pelted rocks and stones on the forces sparking off fierce clashes. At least ten people, including Station House Officer (SHO) Bandipore, Abdul Khaliq were injured in the clashes.

At least ten people, including several women were injured in a clash between the police and a group of protestors in the premises of Hazratbal shrine on the outskirts of Srinagar.

CRPF troops and police open tear smoke shells and use bullet shots in the air to disperse protesters who were staging pro-freedom demonstration in Hazratbal shrine this afternoon.

While talking to Agence India Press, Syed Ali Shah Geelani chairman of APHC (G) said, the fresh program as part of the ‘Quit Kashmir Campaign’ would be announced tomorrow after further deliberations. As earlier, a 21-day protest program had came to fore.