Situation turned ugly in New Theed Harwan area in the outskirts of Srinagar city when thousands of mourners who participated in the last rites of a local youth Moomin Ahmed Ganie (15) killed due to pellet injuries turned violent and resorted to massive stone-pleting. Government Forces fired pellets and tear-smoke shells to contain the protesters who amid pro-freedom slogans hit to roads and targeted forces personnel. Witnesses told news agency CNS that a large number of women too participated in the pro-freedom protest. They added that heavy smoke filled the area as forces resorted to massive tear-gas shelling. Altaf Ahmed Ganaie, the father of the slain youth said that Moomin Ahmed was killed by government forces pumping more than 400 pellets into his body. “This was a gruesome murder of my son,” he said. Alfat alleged that his son was picked up by CRPF and after beating him to death, pellets were pumped into his body. “We recovered his body on Dachigam road,” he said.
Reports said that thousands of people participated in the funeral procession of the local slain youth who was laid to rest at native martyrs graveyard. The clashes between the protesters and the government forces left many people wounded in the area.
Reports said that in Wusun Ganderbal a large number of people staged a pro-freedom rally while government forces used force to disperse them. At least seven persons including a girl were injured. Reports said that one of the wounded man was shifted to SKIMS Srinagar.
Reports from Kulgam said that due to strict curfew people were unable to venture out from their houses. Meanwhile, in Mehand Anantnag, people alleged that government forces damaged and attacked more than 600 houses, smashed their window panes and thrashed common people. They said that in a bid to foil Mehand Chalo program government forces including SOG, Police and CRPF barged into the houses, thrashed inmates, smashed windowpanes and even hit children with gunbutts. “It was a hell like situation here. Men in uniform had a field day and they even harassed women folk,” the locals said adding that men in uniform even looted valuables from their houses.
Meanwhile, Kashmir remained shut for the 71st day with authorities deployed security personnel in Srinagar and other places in the Valley to maintain “law and order” on Saturday.
In wake of the fresh killings, restrictions and curfew were imposed in parts of Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama districts.”
A total of 88 people including two cops have died and around 12,000 others injured in the ongoing uprising that started here on July 9.
At least 20 persons were injured after clashes broke out in Harmeen Shopian where police foiled the pro-freedom march of people. Reports said that police not only foiled the Kulgam chalo march but also used force to foil the Harmeen chalo march. Agitated people blocked the road and damaged the private vehicles, while forces personnel attacked the houses of civilians and smashed their windowpanes. “We are at loss from both sides. The people who seek freedom from India target vehicles while those who fight for India target our houses. It is a routine affair here. We don’t have control over these youth but we are shocked and surprised the way men in uniform behave. They think they are the bosses and nobody is here to question them. Please tell Mehbooba Mufti that men in uniform are the real terrorists. Please save us from their wrath,” an elderly person said.
A police official said that situation in Kashmir remained peaceful throughout Valley.
(CNS)