Routine life remained badly affected for the sixth consecutive day on Thursday in Kashmir due to a shutdown called by United Hurriyat in protest against the deaths of protesters in clashes with Government Forces. Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off the roads due to the strike. Curfew remained in force in many parts of the Valley including old Srinagar city, while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in the rest of the areas.The death toll from clashes between protesters and Forces personnel rose to 38 since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on Friday, which led to protests across Valley.According to the latest figures available, most deaths have taken place in Anan¬tnag district followed by Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama,Srinagar and Kupwara.
In South Kashmir’s Kulgam district the death of a teenager sparked violent protests while agitated protesters targeted Watalhama security camp. According to locals, Forces personnel had thrashed mercilessly two brothers Irfan Ahmed Dar and Faizan Ahmed Dar residents of Toolinopora Kulgam few days back. Both the brothers were shifted to SKIMS with grievous injuries. The elder brother Irfan Ahmed Dar succumbed to his injuries in the hospital sparking violent protests in the area. Locals alleged that forces personnel station in Watalhama camp are responsible for the four deaths in the district. The agitated people attacked the said camp with stones, while forces retaliated with tear-smoke shells and pellets. Eyewitnesses told CNS that forces resorted to intense aerial firing creating panic in the area. Locals were demanding punishment to the killers.The mother of the slain youth according to eyewitnesses fainted and was shifted to hospital after she heard the news about the death of her son. The situation was tense in the area. Angry protesters according to reports torched the house at Bemdoora village in south Kashmir’s Kokernag area. Sources said that Hizbul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and his two associates were hiding in the same house when they were cornered by the forces on last Friday.In Summer Capital Srinagar, police used drone cameras around deserted city centre Lal Chowk to carry out the surveillance of the area.
Stone-pelting incidents were reported from Chanapora and Kathi Darwaza in Srinagar city where police used tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Reports of stone-pelting incidents came from Narbal area where scores of youth clashed with government forces. Locals alleged that government forces thrashed people after which large number of people took to streets chanting freedom slogans. The angry protesters attacked Forces with stones while according to eyewitnesses Forces personnel retaliated with tear-smoke shelling and pellets causing injuries to at least 7 persons including a woman and a kid. One person `with pellet injuries `whom locals identified as Noor Muhamam Ningli `was shifted to SKIMS for treatment.Clashes broke out in Cement Bridge Baramulla, Batargam Kupwara, Botengu Sopore, Palhalan and Tappar Pattan. At least three youth suffered pellet injuries at Tappar Pattan and were shifted to Srinagar hospital for treatment. Reports said that at Kralpora Kupwara shortly after the clashes, CRPF men caused damage to BSNL Exchange building.A police handout issued late evening said that the overall situation throughout the valley remained under control today though some incidents of stone pelting were reported.Some stray and intermittent incidents of stone pelting were reported from Qaimo Kulgam, Khudwani, Trehgam, Lalpora, Battergam, Kupwara, Hyhama, Hatmulla, Warpora, Sopore, Arampora, Cement bridge, Baramulla, Palhalan, Suzaith, Parimpora, Narbal, Chinkral Mohalla and Habakadal. A mob set on fire a residential house in Bamdoora, Kokernag. (CNS)