|
Srinagar:
Violence reared its head in the Kashmir Valley again Friday, with
two more protesting youth killed in firing by security forces,
taking the toll of civilian deaths to 92. Indefinite curfew
prevailed in all major towns for the fifth consecutive day.
Police said security forces intervened to disperse a stone pelting
mob that had blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla road in Tapper
village, 35 km from here, in Baramulla district.
"The mob resorted to heavy stone pelting at the security forces
which opened fire to disperse the mob that had blocked the
Srinagar-Baramulla highway since morning today," police said.
"One protester, identified as Gulam Rasool Bhat, 25, was declared
brought dead by doctors at the nearby Sumbal sub-district
hospital. Three protesters were injured in the incident," police
said.
Earlier in the day, a 22-year-old protester, Fayaz Ahmad, was
killed in firing by security forces during a clash between stone
pelting protesters and the security forces in Gotpora village in
central Badgam district.
Both the incidents, according to police, happened when curfew
defying mobs attacked the security forces.
With Friday's killings of two people, the number of civilians who
have lost their lives in the valley unrest has risen to 92.
The clashes erupted despite curfew being imposed in all major
towns and villages for five days, prompting residents to complain
of food and medicine shortage.
"Indefinite curfew shall continue today in Srinagar city and in
north Kashmir's Sopore, Handwara, Kupwara, Trehgam, Ganderbal,
Bandipora and Baramulla towns," a senior police officer said here.
"There will be no relaxation in Anantnag, Pulwama, Qoimoh,
Bijbehara, Kulgam, Shopian and Pampore towns. Central Badgam,
Chadura, Ompora and Humhama towns shall also remain under curfew,"
he added.
People living in different areas of Srinagar have begun
complaining of shortages of baby food, medicines, cooking gas and
food.
"We have rations for just another three days left with us. My
mother, who is diabetic, needs insulin injections on a regular
basis. I fear if the curfew continues like this, her life would be
in danger," said a resident of Srinagar's Old City who did not
want to be named.
When this was brought to the notice of a senior police officer
here, he said: "We have made repeated announcements through local
TV and radio stations as also through loudspeaker-mounted vehicles
in areas under curfew that in any emergency, the residents must
contact the station house officer (SHO) of the nearest police
station.
"Clear orders have been given to SHOs to respond promptly to
emergency calls. No civilian will be allowed to suffer on account
of shortages of medicine and essential supplies."
The officer added: "Orders are also clear about allowing
ambulances carrying the sick to hospital without causing any
inconvenience to them. But I must add that we have to ensure that
the passage of ambulances and other vehicles belonging to
essential services is genuine."
Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who spearheads the
"Quit Kashmir" campaign announced by his group, has issued a
protest calendar valid up to Sep 26.
As per this calendar, people have been asked to resume normal
activity for two days - Sep 20 and Sep 22. Residents have also
been asked to resume normal life from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day.
An all-party delegation is slated to visit Kashmir Monday to get a
first hand look at the situation and suggest measures to calm
tensions in the volatile valley.
|
Comment on this article
|
Quick links