Kashmir is Valley is on edge as four civilians have been killed by government forces in Handwara area of Kupwara district in just 24 hours amid protests, clashes and curfew. Police said its 110 personnel and two CRPF men have sustained injuries in clashes on Wednesday against these killings.The fresh unrest in Valley started on Tuesday after forces fire on protesters at Handwara Town who were protesting against the alleged molestation attempt by a trooper. According to police, two youths namely Muhammad Iqbal and Nayeem Qadir Bhat were killed after army opened fire on them as protesters “ransacked and tried to set ablaze their bunker.”The killing of two youngsters triggered massive protests in Kupwara district including at Handwara, Langate, Drugmulla and other areas. During the protests, a woman namely Jana Begum was hit by a bullet fired by forces at Langate and left her critically injured. After battling for her life, the woman finally breathed her last at 2:30 AM in SKIMS Hospital here.
The third killing by forces evoked more protests as it spread to new areas even as curfew was clamped by authorities in Handwaa and Kupwara townships. During such protests, a youth namely Jehangir Ahmad Wani, son of Ghulam-ud-Din Wani, resident of Nagri, Drugmulla, was hit by a teargas shell at Drugmulla and succumbed shortly at hospital. According to eyewitnesses, the youth was shot by close range by forces.Following the killing of fourth civilian, the situation took a more ugly turn in the Kupwara district as more and more people took to streets and staged anti-India protests. Eyewitnesses and police said that angry protesters set ablaze Police Post Langate and also attacked Police Post Magam.Sources said nearly 18 civilians were injured in the clashes across Kupwara today while a police spokesman in a statement issued to GNS said that 110 cops were injured. “Police exercised utmost restraint despite heavy provocations.
During the process of dispersal of unruly mobs, about 110 Police personnel got injured,” he said, adding that the cases have been registered regarding death of civilians in law & order incidents and investigation started.Earlier in the day, thousands of people participated in the funeral processions of the slain civilians including the woman. Police said that the funerals and burials were followed by clashes.Meanwhile, the government forces thrashed four scribes working with local news organizations at Langate. Reports said the four were thrashed when they were performing their professional duties.In the meanwhile, the authorities today evening snapped internet services in parts of north Kashmir to “prevent escalation of protests”. Locals told GNS that the internet services were snapped on all cellular networks. (GNS)