Shutdown, curfew crippled life
Authorities continued restrictions in many parts of Kashmir Valley as life remained paralyzed for the 46th consecutive day on Tuesday.
Strict curfew continued in old Srinagar city and some parts of South Kashmir while restrictions remained in force in all other districts of Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara and Badgam towns.
In wake of curfew and shutdown educational institutions, markets, public transports and other businesses remained shut. Sixty-nine people including 67 civilians and two policemen have died in the violence in the valley since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujhadeen Commander Burhan Wani was killed by the government forces in a gunfight. On Tuesday resistance leadership had called for peaceful women protests and all the localities.
Even though there was some movement of private vehicles in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar, police and paramilitary forces toughened the curbs after 6 pm to enforce strict curfew to counter relaxation call of joint resistance camp. Reports from Old Srinagar City said that that strict curfew was in place to restrict the movement of the people. In wake of the killing of Fathekadal youth Irfan Fayaz extra security measures were put in place to quell possible protests. Old Srinagar city has been reeling under curfew from past 45 days. Some phone calls were received from Nowhatta by this news agency wherein callers complained that they are short of baby food, medicines and milk. “My mother was suffering from toothache while CRPF deployed outside the road didn’t allow us to venture out from the house,” the caller told CNS.
Reports said that clashes erupted between the government forces and protesters in Kaloosa area of Bandipora in north Kashmir. Witnesses said that the protestors had gathered near NM higher secondary school Kaloosa when clashes erupted. While the protesters hurled rocks, the forces responded by firing tear gas shells.
Eyewitness said that a woman was injured after the government forces fired pellets and burst teargas shells to disperse protesters in Watpora village of Bandipora district. Doctors at Sub-district Hospital Bandipora said the woman, identified as Haseena, resident of Watpora, is being treated for pellet injuries in her abdomen and left arm.
Reports added that protesters attacked the official residence of MLA Bandipora and Congress leader, Usman Majid with rocks however he was not present there at the time of attack. Sources said that dozens of youngster reached very near to Congress leader’s official residence and started pelting stones on it while raising pro-freedom slogans. However, they said, the guards only closed the main gate and did not retaliate. Police fired many tear smoke shells to disperse youth who were busy in making graffiti in Nusu area of the town.
At least 16 civilians were wounded while four of them were hit by bullets after government forces including CRPF, Army and Police went on a rampage and according to witnesses targeted the protesters including children and women in Vehil village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district. Pertinently, on Monday more than 30 people suffered injuries in Ganapora Balapora village of the district.
Eyewitnesses told CNS that in a bid to break up peaceful protest, government forces showered bullets and pellets on the protesters injuring more than 16 of them. Four people reportedly sustained bullet injuries while the rest have been hit by pellets, said a hospital source. Three among the injured were shifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment.
SP Shopian Tahir Saleem said that during patrolling, protesters attacked government forces while in retaliation few people were injured. He denied the allegations that government forces resorted to firing. (CNS)