There is no let up in bloodbath in Kashmir as five more civilians fell to the bullets of the government forces on Tuesday at Budgam and Anantnag districts of Valley even as curfew remained imposed across city and other major towns of the region.Four civilians were alone killed at Aripanthan village of Beerwah in Budgam district after government forces opened fire when stone-throwing clashes were underway. The forces firing left two protesters dead on-spot while two more later succumbed to their injuries. Besides, 15 others are injured and four of them are stated to be in critical condition and they are being operated in Srinagar hospitals here.The slain persons have been identified as Javaid Najar, Manzoor Ahmad Lone, Muhammad Ashraf Bhat and Javaid Sheikh aka Kaunsar and they are all residents of Aripanthan. The four critical include Feroz Ahmad Bhat, Tauqeer Ahmad (at SKIMS Soura), Hajira and Rauf Ahmad (at SMHS). All of them have sustained bullet injuries. Reports said that soon after four killings, the area erupted in protests and thousands of people hit the streets.The reports further said that the area was tense since yesterday as some of the youths have been rounded up by the army and the fresh killings sparked off more protests. As per eyewitnesses, thousands of people attended the funeral prayers of the slain persons amid massive anti-India protests. The slain persons were laid to rest amid tears and sobs.
In another incident, a youth was killed when government forces opened fire at Larkipora village of Anantnag district. The youth identified as Aamir Yusuf Ganaie, of Nayad PoraLarkipora in the district was killed when protests were going on in the area. Nine other protesters were also injured in forces action and some of them were identified as Daulat Meer, Tariq Rather, Bhai Chopan, Waheed Bhat and Nazir chhopan.Reports said that intense protests erupted in the area after the youth’s killing and men, women and children staged massive anti-India protests. With five deaths today, seven civilian have died in forces action in Kashmir Valley in last 24 hours. Last evening, forces shoot dead a 10th class boy namely Yasir at Batamaloo while another youth namely Ishaq Ahmad of Tangmarg succumbed to his pellet injuries. The death toll since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani has climbed to 65.
Meanwhile, the curfew and shutdown entered 39th day today while clashes and protests continue in Valley parts. Thousands of CRPF, police and SSB personnel were deployed across Srinagar including in Old City, Maisuma, Batamaloo, Dalgate and Lal Chowk areas since early morning to thwart protests. The government forces had sealed roads with barricades and concertina wires and enforced curfew strictly.Reports said that though the situation remained under control across the Srinagar but clashes erupted between youths and retreating government forces men in the evening. The clashes also erupted at Batamaloo and CRPF men according to locals went berserk and resorted to ransacking of houses. Though the public transport was completely off the roads here in city, some private vehicles and auto-rickshaws were seen plying on the roads of civil lines.The broadband and postpaid cellular services of private operators continue to remain suspended across Kashmir Valley. Sources said that in wake of UN March call tomorrow and subsequent appeal for 72-hour long sit-in by resistance leadership, the curfew shall be strictly imposed across Kashmir to foil it.