Kashmir Valley witnesses another tense day as authorities imposed strict curfew in different parts after the overnight civilian killing in South Kashmir. "One civilian Farooq Ahmed Kuchey had been killed and another critically injured when the security guard of additional district development commissioner (Ramban) opened fire at a crowd that stopped his vehicle at Lethpora in Pulwama district on Tuesday. The condition of teenager Suhail Ahmad Wani, who was one of the three injured in last night’s firing, is said to be critical. He is still in ICU at SKIMS, Soura.Reports said that thousands of people participated in the last rites of the slain youth at Lethpoa area of South Kashmir.
People according to witnesses reached Lethpora from Ladhoo, Tral, Chandhara, Kakapora, Pulwama, Samboora, Barsoo, Pampore, Awantipora, Hajibal, Banderpora, Hathiwara and other areas to participate in Farooq’s funeral. “Thousands of people offered funeral prayers for Farooq at local Eidgah,” said a local adding that back to back funeral prayers were offered for the slain youth.In a bid to maintain law and order and getting situation out of control heavy security deployment was made along the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Police had placed a barrier near EDI Sempora to block movement of vehicles towards South Kashmir. Reports said that before Farooq could be laid to rest CRPF started shelling the Mazaar-e-Shuhda (martyrs graveyard), resulting in intense clashes between mourners and forces.Tension gripped Chattabal area of Srinagar city after the body of a local youth was found in the area. Police said that a bank ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) guard was killed under mysterious circumstances during the night in Chattabal area of Srinagar city. They said the guard had been attacked and killed with some sharp edged weapon. Scores of protesters blocked roads and raised slogans alleging the guard had been shot at and killed. Locals told CNS that the body of Reyaz Ahmad Shah, who was private security guard at ATM of J&K Bank at Kanikadal Habbakadal, was found around last midnight outside gate of Government Medical College/SMHS Hospital Srinagar. “He seems to have been killed by insertion of iron rod in his back. People suspected he has a gunshot wound and has been possibly fired upon from a bunker while driving to his ATM on scooty.”
Residents of Chhattabal staged a massive demonstration outside Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar, alleging that Shah has been killed by CRPF. Police official said that an FIR has been registered and investigation has been taken up. Chief Medical Officer Srinagar Dr Bashir Ahmed Malik confirmed to CNS that the death of youth occurred due to pellet injuries. “Yes, he was attacked with pellets resulting in his death. For further details please contact forensic laboratory officials, they will give you completer detail,” Malik said.Despite repeated attempts, the Forensic officials didn’t pick up the phone. Apprehending defiance of imposed restrictions in old city areas of Srinagar and other places in the valley, heavy deployment of police and paramilitary central reserve police force (CRPF) was made on Wednesday. Reports said that people defied curfew in old Srinagar city and hit to streets chanting anti-India slogans.
Reports said that Police and CRPF men intercepted mass public rally in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday. Local reports said that thousands of people from Kulgam villages were on way to Damhal Hanji Pora for a mass rally.Unlike past few days, majority of people were on foot walking towards Damhal Hanji Pora. People held mass rallies in South Kashmir parts in which people showed unity in file and ranks and vowed to “take forward the freedom movement”.According to reports, the rally which comprised of bikes and cars as well was intercepted at Aadijan Laisu village in a brook by police and CRPF personnel resulting in intense clashes. “Scores of injured are lying on the roads. We are unable to shift them to hospitals,” a local said.
An eyewitness said that when armed forces targeted peaceful protesters, scores of bikers abandoned their motorcycles that were later set on fire by armed forces. “Yes, I am witness to it, CRPF personnel set on fires dozens of bikes,” CNS Reporter from Kulgam told CNS.He said that situation in the district was tense while thousands of people from adjoining areas regrouped and hit to roads and staged massive anti-India demonstration. Reports from South Kashmir said that protesters after setting a trawler on fire damaged a vast patch of highway by using bulldozers.Reports of stone-pelting came from Meemandar Shopian while eyewitnesses said that a massive bike rally was organized by youth from Kulgam and Shopian that culminated in Vehail Shopian. Youth at Vehail Shopian reportedly clashed with police.Police used tear smoke shells to disperse protesters in Pahalgam while in Anantnag district situation remained peaceful. (CNS)