Budgam: Massive protests erupted at Drang Lasipora area of Central Kashmirs Budgam district after a littered shell exploded with a bang, killing the 9-year-old daughter of a farmer and leaving his 5-year-old son permanently disabled. Protestors alleged that due to military drills in the past, shells lie scattered in and around Tosamaidan and often they roll down with water and endanger lives in the village.
Local eyewitnesses said that siblings Simran Akhtar and her brother Fayaz Ahmed Parrey were returning home from their school when near Zompathri Nallah of Lassipora Drang, a powerful shell exploded with a huge bang leaving the siblings in a pool of blood. Scores of people rushed to the spot and found Simran Akhtar dead while according to reports her brother had received fatal injuries and his both legs were mangled. Another kid also suffered minor injuries. Their father Riyaz Ahmad Parray was too shocked to speak .
Reports said that injured Fayaz was shifted to Srinagar hospital where he is battling for life. People took to streets and staged a protest in the area alleging that shells lie scattered everywhere in and around Tosamaidan. Confirming the death of the girl, a police official said they have registered a case in this regard and investigation has been taken.
For past few years littered explosives, shells and live ammunition have killed more than 30 people and injured dozens across Jammu and Kashmir. Most of the victims are children. In 2009 alone, 14 people including children were killed when scattered shells went off while 22 others sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, Tossamaidan Bachave Front while expressing anguish over the death of minor girl said that it has no other option but to initiate an uprising against illegal occupation of Tossamaidan if the lease cancellation order is not issued. We warn the government to issue the cancellation order in black and white before 25 May to avoid agitation, it said.
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