Valley sees tougher Curfew on APM visit

Srinagar: A youth who was allegedly beaten by Army in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district last week succumbed to injuries at the SK Institute of medical sciences (SKIMS) Monday morning. With his death, the toll in the unrest that started on June 11 reached 104 in Valley. Elsewhere 12 people were injured in violent clashes as Valley remained under siege on the two-day visit of the All Party Delegation to the state.
Islamabad youth ‘beaten’ by Army succumbs
Reports said that 25-year-old Altaf Ahmad, son of Abdur Rehman Bhat was critically injured when he hit a concrete structure near Ang Matipora village of the district last week while escaping the troopers who were allegedly chasing him. He received serious head injuries and was rushed to SKIMS, Srinagar by his family and locals. However, after battling with life for three consecutive days, Altaf breathed his last this morning.
“Altaf was brought to hospital with head injury on September 17. He was put on ventilator shortly after being operated by a team of doctors. This morning, he succumbed to injuries,” Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr Syed Amin Tabish when contacted by Press Bureau of India said.
However, a doctor whishing not to be named said that the slain youth had serious head injury and a history of beating.
“The patient had a serious head injury. Apparently, he was beaten by someone,” he added.
However, a senior police official refuted the allegations of beating and said that the youth died after succumbing to the injuries he sustained after falling from a walnut tree.
“The youth was seriously injured when he fell from a tree while plucking the walnuts. He was admitted in SKIMS, where he succumbed to injuries,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Islamabad, Bashir Ahmad Khan.
Meanwhile, clashes broke out between protesters and forces in Baba Mohalla of South Kashmir’s Shopian district this afternoon.
Reports said groups of youth took to streets this morning and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Shouting slogans in favor of Independence, the people denounced the killing of unarmed protesters. The forces and the protesters engaged in ding-dong clashes that continued till evening. However, no reports of injury were received.
Protests against teenager’s killing continue in Sopore
At least twelve people, six among them were hit with bullets when CRPF and police fired upon protesters in Nathipora area of Sopore in Baramulla district.
Press Bureau of India correspondent from North Kashmir said that defying curfew, thousands of people of Nathipora and its adjoining villages early this morning assembled on the Sopore-Handwara highway and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting “We want freedom,” “Islam Zindabad,” “Go India Go Back,” and vociferous pro-Geelani and anti-India slogans, the people were protesting the ‘cold blooded murder’ of Mubeena Akhter by forces last evening.
The protesters also blocked the highway linking the two districts of North Kashmir.
“The girl was killed in cold blood by the forces. She wasn’t part of the pro-freedom demonstration,” Feroz Ahmad, a protester said.
As the people were staging demonstrations, a party of CRPF, Special Operations Group (SOG) of police reached the spot and lobbed teargas canisters in a bid to break up the demonstrations and pave way for the Army convoy that was scheduled to pass through the highway. However, the defiant protesters refused to disperse. The forces later opened fire, resulting in injuries to at least a dozen people, six among them with bullets. Four of the injured have been admitted to SMHS hospital while two youth identified as Burhan Ahmad Tantray and Sheikh Khalid have been admitted in SKIMS.
Tantray has serious head injuries. He was hit by a teargas shell fired by the forces.
“We have received two patients with firearm injury. Both of them are being treated upon,” Medical Superintendent, SKIMS said.
Protests also broke out in Main Chowk, Chinkipora and other areas of the town when the troops were withdrawn this evening. Protests against the teenager’s killing were also held in Seelu, Behrampora and other areas.
Reports of protests and clashes have been received from Bandipore district of North Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Valley remained under siege for the ninth consecutive day today even as All Party Delegation of various political parties arrived in the summer capital this morning to assess the prevailing ground situation following the killing of unarmed civilians in forces firing since June 11.
Reports and eyewitnesses said that thousands of CRPF troops and policemen enforced strict curfew in Srinagar and other districts of the Valley for the ninth consecutive day to scuttle any attempt of the people to breach curfew and stage pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations.
In Srinagar, the capital city, unprecedented security arrangements were made to prevent any attempt of people to come on roads and stage pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Thousands of troopers and policemen armed with riot gear and automatic rifles manned the lanes, by lanes roads and the deserted streets in the old city and civil lines to restrict the movement of the people.
S K International Convention Complex (SKICC), the main venue of today’s event was virtually turned into a fortress by CRPF and police since morning. The police had also blocked several roads leading to the venue with barricades and spools of barbed wire. At some places, armored vehicles had blocked the road links.
Only vehicles of top civil and police officials were allowed on the boulevard road.
However, despite harsh curfew, groups of youth appeared in streets in Nowgam and Hyderpora area of the city and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the people were protesting the unabated killing of civilians by the forces. CRPF and police used force to disperse the protesters. In retaliation, protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces sparking off ding-dong clashes. However, no reports of any injuries were received in the pitched battles between forces and the protesters.
Situation peaceful, says police
In a statement issued here this evening, a police spokesman said that barring an isolated incident of stone pelting in Sopore situation across the Valley by and large remained peaceful.
The spokesman said that five people were injured when forces retaliated to a violent that resorted to heavy stone pelting at Nathipora, Bumai of Sopore town.
“Two of the injured were referred to Srinagar, while others were admitted at Sub District Hospital Sopore. Situation in the area is now under control,” the spokesman said.
“Situation in all other parts of the Kashmir valley remained normal and under control,” he added.