Curfew Suspends Normal Life in South Kashmir

Protests after Friday prayers, 8 wounded in clashes; Curfew to continue on Saturday

SRINAGAR: Curfew remained in force for the 3rd day running Friday in most parts of South Kashmir while protests were held in many other parts of the Valley after Friday prayers against the recent Shopian killings.

Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam in south Kashmir continued to reel under curfew for the third day while curfew was extended to Anantnag on Friday.

Authorities had re-imposed the curfew in three towns on Wednesday following the killing of a 28 year old Rafiq Ahmad Rather by CRPF men stationed at Gagran camp.

Pertinently, Rafiq was the 5th victim, allegedly killed by CRPF in past two weeks in Shopian.

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Police and CRPF had erected barricades and bunkers at many places in Shopian on Friday and people were not allowed to venture out of their homes.

Clashes however broke out between protesters and riot police after Friday prayers despite curfew restrictions. Police and paramilitary personnel used force to quell a protests at Gagran,Bungam and Memender. However, youth retaliated with stones and in the ensuing clashes three youth suffered minor injuries.

In the late afternoon a group of youth pounced on a cop and beat him up severely. The injured cop identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat was immediately shifted to hospital for treatment, official sources said.

Meanwhile authorities Friday extended curfew to south Kashmir’s principal town Anantnag (Islamabad). Sources in the administration said that the curfew and restrictions would continue in these areas on Saturday also following the strike call by the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Protests and clashes erupted at two places in Pulwama district after Friday prayers in which one person was injured in forces action. The clashes erupted in Khrew, Namblabal and Kadlabal areas of Pampore. Eyewitness said that groups of youth at both places took to streets and held strong protest demonstrations. Raising pro-freedom slogans, they were demanding punishment for Shopian killers.

Witnesses said that huge contingents of Govt forces intercepted the protesting youth and resorted to heavy teargas shelling and cane-charge. Pitched battles continued for some time and a youth identified as Ajaz Ahmed Bhat son of Abdul Hamid was detained by police.

The residents of area alleged that Govt forces ransacked their houses and broke the windowpanes while chasing the stone pelting youth through the lanes of the area.

Police however said that nobody was injured and no forces personnel entered the houses of the residents. Some youth tried to take out a protest march and they pelted stones on forces, a police officer said and added that situation was brought under control soon after the incident.

In Srinagar police foiled a march by JKLF chairman Mohamamd Yasin Malik who was detained while attempting to sit on a dharna at Lal Chowk.

Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was also not allowed to offer Friday prayers, whereas no one was allowed to enter the residence of Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Friday protests were also reported from Baramulla, Sopore, Kupwara, Budgam, Ganderbal and Kangan.

Youth resorted to stone pelting at few places in Baramulla district. However, they were chased by the police and dispersed instantly. Baramulla district witnessed complete shutdown against the mysterious death of Peoples League leader, Abdul Rashid Sofi. All the shops, business establishments and educational institutions were closed.

Meanwhile Inspector General of Police for Kashmir Range Abdul Gani Mir said that the situation remained by and large peaceful in the Valley.

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