Though the authorities had imposed curfew and restrictions in several parts of Kashmir on 77th straight day in Kashmir, a youth was killed in North Kashmir’s Nadihal, Sopore area of Baramulla after forces opened fire.However, many civilians were also injured in Kashmir during the protests and clashes throughout the day.A top police official told KNS that the curfew and restrictions were imposed in several Srinagar areas, several towns in South and North Kashmir to foil the march called by the separatist leadership in the new protest calendar issued to KNS on Sep 21.
Baramulla youth killedA 22 year old youth died after forces opened fire in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.According to KNS correspondent, a 22 year old youth identified as Waseem Ahmad Lone, son of Nazir Ahmad Lone, resident of Nadihal, Sopore sustained bullet injuries during the clashes between youth and forces in the area.He as per witnesses was immediately rushed to District Hospital Baramulla where he succumbed.Meanwhile, the uncle of Lone told KNS that no protest was ongoing in the area.“However, army came and opened fire on our believed one resulted in his killing,” he told KNS.He said that Lone was working in the fields when forces opened fire.Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General North Kashmir Range, Uttam Chand told KNS that “one youth has been killed in Baramulla district today. The further information regarding the killing of youth is awaited. We are gathering the details of the incident.”
North Kashmir
Reports of clashes and protests were reported in several areas during the day.According to KNS correspondent, Bhat Zahoor, in Banidpora, forces used tear gas canisters and pellets to foil a proposed pro-freedom rally in the area during which scores of people sustained injuries.Reports and witnesses said that forces fired scores of teargas shells and pellets to disperse protesters who were preparing to take out the rally from Jamia Masjid Bandipora to Gulshan Chowk.Meanwhile, a heavy deployment of forces has been made in the town to thwart more such attempts.Witnesses said that in Ajas Bandipora, a peaceful protest was organized by the people after they offered Friday congregational prayers at Eidgah. ‘After prayers, they marched towards the main Chowk while raising anti-India and pro-freedom slogans and later dispersed peacefully,” they said.
In Hajin, as per KNS correspondent, Bhat Zahoor, clashes erupted between youth and forces during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth while scores of people sustained injuries as well.Meanwhile, a peaceful protest was organized by the people in Naidkhai during which they raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.Witnesses said that in Sumbal area, checkpoints were raised by the forces who were checking the vehicles till late hours.Meanwhile, according to KNS correspondent, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Saloosa Kreeri area of Baramulla district.Witnesses said people of the area had decided to offer congregational prayers jointly Saloosa. However, forces came and restored to teargas shelling during which several civilians sustained injuries.They alleged that forces also damaged public properties including windowpanes of residential houses, gates and transformers in the area.
Meanwhile, according to KNS correspondent, following the congregational prayers in Kralgund area of Langate, several Panchs, Ward members and a Sarpanch publically announced their resignation from their positions as well as from the party.Witnesses said that as soon as the Friday congregational prayers ended in the area,The people assembled outside the local masjid and announced their resignation publically. Lateef Ahmad Naikoo, Sarpanch of Block Gund Chugootra addressed people after the prayers and said that he alongwith other Panchs and Deputy Sarpanchs have decided to resign from the party as well as from the positions.According to witnesses the persons who announced their resignation publically were identified as Lateeef Ahmad Sarpanch (AIP), Deputy Sarpanch, Muhammad Shafi Wani (Congress), Ward members including Muhammad Maqbool Khan, Khazir Muhammad Gazi, Muhammad Abdullah Wani, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Gazi, Ghulam Muhammad Gazi, Abdul Razaq Lone, Fareeda Begum, Naseema Begum and Rafiqa Begum.
Central Kashmir
Meanwhile, according to KNS correspondent, Qadir Baidar, at least twelve youth were injured during the clashes between youth and forces in Gulshan Abad Charar-e-Shareef town of central Kashmir's Budgam district.Witnesses told KNS that the three among the injured youth sustained pellet injuries in eye and were shifted to Srinagar’s hospital for specialized treatment.KNS correspondent informed that the forces had earlier sealed the entire Charar-e-Sharief town following the march called by the separatist leadership asking people of the district to march towards the historic town.Reports and witnesses said the clashes broke out between protestors and forces in Gulshan Abad locality in which twelve youth received injuries in pellet firing by forces.“Three youth with pellet injuries in their eyes were referred to Srinagar’s SMHS hospital,” witnesses said, adding that the other injured youth were treated locally.They said that six youth were also arrested during the clashes in the area.Meanwhile he said that at least three youth were injured during the clashes between youth and forces in Bagh-e-Noor din area of Charar-e-Shareef.“Forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth during which three people sustained injuries,” witnesses told KNS.
Meanwhile, reports said that clashes also erupted between youth and forces in Chadoora area of Budgam district during which forces tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who were pelting stones on them.In uptown areas of Srinagar, forces used tear gas canisters to foil proposed pro-freedom rallies in Old Barzulla, Natipora and Rambagh areas triggering clashes in the area.Reports and witnesses said that forces fired scores of teargas shells to disperse the protesters who were preparing to take out the rally after Friday congregational prayers ended in the areas.“Protestors from Natipora and Old Barzulla were planning to march towards Rambagh,” local sources said.Clashes erupted at these places as locals alleged that forces went berserk and beat up inmates and ransacked the window panes of several residential houses.Reports said that in Srinagar’s Batamaloo area, scores of women took out a pro-freedom rally after Friday prayers.“The women held pro-freedom protests in Danderkhah but forces stopped them from marching further,” a local said.Witnesses meanwhile said that clashes erupted between youth and forces in Batamaloo area of Srinagar during scores of tear gas canisters were used by the forces to disperse the agitating youth.
Meanwhile, reports said that residents of Dalgate area of Srinagar accused forces of thrashing pedestrians and imposing severe restrictions on their movement.Reports quoting the residents said that barricades have been placed at Badyari Chowk to enforce curfew.“Nobody was allowed to move on the road. Several pedestrians were thrashed at around 7 am when they went out to buy bread and milk,” said a local.In Old City Srinagar, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Eidgah, Habba Kadal and Noorbagh area during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.
However, as per witnesses no injury was reported during the clashes in these areas.Meanwhile, a peaceful protest was organized by the locals of Makhshoom Khan area of Habba Kadal during which people raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, local sources told KNS. Besides clashes and protests, a complete shutdown was observed in Central Kashmir today.“All the shops, business establishment, schools and petrol pumps remained closed,” witnesses said.
No prayers in Jamia Masjid Srinagar
However, on 11th consecutive Friday, the authorities barred people from offering mandatory congregational prayers in historical Jami Masjid in old city Srinagar here.Reports said that following the curfew in the area, the residents were not allowed to offer Friday congregational prayers in Jamia Masjid today who later offered prayers in smaller Masjid’s in the locality.
South Kashmir
A complete shutdown was observed in South Kashmir districts today while reports of clashes and protests were reported during the day in several areas.Reports said that Protests were held in Pampore and adjacent areas today against the arrest of three youth.People took to streets after announcements were made through loudspeakers of local Masjids asking people to come out.They said three youths were picked up during the overnight raid by the forces.Meanwhile, reports said that twenty people including an elderly man sustained injuries during the clashes between youth and forces in Kokernag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.Reports and witnesses said that forces allegedly fired teargas shells at protesters to foil a rally in Soaf village of the district.“Twenty people were injured in the alleged forces’ action,” reports quoting witnesses said.Among the injured persons, 50-year-old man was hit by a teargas shell near ear lobe.He is being treated at Sub District hospital Kokernag, reports quoting hospital source said. (KNS)