Srinagar: Violence continued to rock Kashmir
Valley as at least 25 people, including seven policemen, were
injured today with protesters targeting houses of two former
legislators and clashing with security forces at various
places.
A day after deadly clashes claimed 17 lives,
stone-pelting youths defied curfew and fought pitched battles
with security forces at many places in Baramulla, Bandipora
and Budgam districts. Of the injured the condition of three
are stated to be critical.
Two youths were seriously injured when security forces
allegedly opened fire to chase away a stone-pelting mob at
Boatman colony in Bemina locality here this afternoon, a
police spokesman said.
He said the security forces initially used tear gas
shells to disperse the protesters who had blocked a highway
but the youths indulged in heavy stone pelting.
Condition of one of the injured Fayaz Ahmad Naik, who
received bullet injury in the head, was stated to be critical.
Two more persons were injured when security forces opened
fire at a mob which attacked the house of National Conference
provincial president and former MLA Ali Mohammad Dar at
Dooniwari-Wathoora in Budgam district.
Both the injured, Bilal Ahmad Beg and Imtiyaz Ahmad,
were admitted to SMHS hospital here, officials said, adding
condition of Beg was critical.
In Bandipora district of North Kashmir, a mob pelted
stones at the residence of former MLC Habeebullah at Watipora,
60 kms from here, the spokesman said.
However, the stone-pelters were chased away by police.
Another group of people defied curfew at Khanpora, 50
kms from here, and indulged in heavy stone-pelting against the
police and paramilitary forces, he said.
Security forces fired warning shots and lobbed teargas
shells, resulting in injuries to two persons - Javid and Tariq
Ahmad, the spokesman said, adding the condition of the latter
is stated to be critical.
Meanwhile, a mob attacked CRPF battalion headquarters in
Zianakote industrial area, prompting the security personnel to
fire at them, the police spokesman said.
A youth was injured in the incident at the outskirts of
the city. He was rushed to hospital where his condition was
stated to be stable.
Abdul Rashid Ganai was hit by a rubber bullet in the
chest at Chadoora after a stone-pelting mob attacked security
forces in the town, 16 kms from here in Budgam district.
Four persons, including two women, were injured when
security forces allegedly opened fire and lobbed teargas
shells at away stone-pelting mobs at Zirpora in Bijbehara, 45
kms from here in Anantnag district of South Kashmir.
Incidents of stone pelting was also reported from
Channapora and Bemina in Srinagar, Sumbal in Bandipora
district, Harapora-Handwara, Chogal and Drugmulla in Kupwara
district, Achabal and Sirigufwara in Anantnag district,
Paichoo, Tahab, Chowkand and Bonoora in Pulwama district and
Warpora-Sopore in Baramulla district.
At some places, security forces used teargas shells and
batons to disperse the protesters, the spokesman said, adding
the clashes left 15 people including seven policemen injured.
Among the injured policeman was an Assistant Sub-inspector.
In Kupwara district, the agitators pelted stones at
Panchayat Ghar, Community Hall, Naib Tehsildar Office, ARTO
office at Drugmullah.
A spokesman said three policemen including a station
House Officer (SHO) were injured when they came under stone
pelting from a mob attempting to set ablaze a government
building in Handwara town of Kupwara district.
A mob pelted stone and tried to set afire the slaughter
house of Municipal Committee in Handawara, 80 kms from here.
However, timely action by police assisted by the Fire and
Emergency department saved the building, the spokesman said.
In Srinagar city, mobs repeatedly attacked the office of
Srinagar Development Authority at Bemina and set ablaze
discarded furniture, broke open the gates and smashed the
window panes.
Police fired warning shots and lobbed teargas shells to
disperse the protesters who kept on regrouping and attacking
the government office and the security personnel, the
spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Maqbool Sheikh, who was critically
injured in firing at Pampore, succumbed to injuries at a
hospital here, raising the toll in yesterday`s violence to 18,
sources said.
-PTI
