Srinagar: The death toll in the violent protests in Kashmir over the past two days following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani rose to 21 on Sunday, even as Union Home Rajnath Singh assured all possible help from the Centre to the state government to deal with the situation.
Violent protests continued for the second day today despite a curfew was clamped by the state administration in the Valley to thwart the protests.
Five more people, including a police officer, were killed in Sunday's fresh clashes, taking the toll to 20. The cop apparently died after an angry mob pushed his vehicle into the Jhelum river.
Also, some unidentified men hurled grenades on security forces during the protests in Pulwama district, injuring two jawans, the police said.
In one incident, protesters raided the Damal Hanji Pura police station and took away the police weapons, that were later used to fire at police personnel.
Meanwhile, the state has been put on high alert for the next 48 hours.
Earlier today, the state Cabinet held an emergency meeting to discuss the evolving situation. The issue of loss of lives during clashes was also discussed.
Government spokesperson Naeem Akhtar told reporters that the administration is looking into incidents where there has been disproportionate use of force.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on phone and assured Central assistance to deal with the situation.
On Saturday, protesters torched at least four police stations, and two police pickets in the Valley.
The whereabouts of three policemen who went missing after the clashes broke out, are still not known.
More than 90 security personnel and some 200 civilian protesters were injured in Saturday's clashes, as security forces opened fire and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Burhan Wani was on Saturday buried in his native Shariefabad (Tral) village where nearly 40,000 people had gathered defying curfew restrictions.
Several areas of Kashmir, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam have been gripped with violent protests after the news of Burhan's killing by security forces spread. Besides Burhan, two of his associates were also gunned down by security forces in an encounter in Kokarnag village on Friday.
The separatists have called for a Kashmir-wide shut down till Monday.
Meanwhile, Jammu IGP Danesh Rana told media today that the Amarnath Yatra will resume once the law and order situation improves in the Valley.
Due to the widespread protests, the UGC has postponed its NET exam scheduled in Srinagar today. More than 10,000 candidates had registered for the exam in Srinagar.
