Srinagar, Sep 13 (KNS): Amid strict curfew and restrictions across Kashmir on Eid, two youths were killed and more than two dozen people were injured during protests and clashes that erupted in different parts of Kashmir Valley. Meanwhile another in a mosque died, apparently of heart attack, after a teargas shell crashed into the shrine at Awantipora in Pulwama district.
Reports said a youth died during clashes with government forces in north Kashmir's Bandipora district. The deceased was identified as Mustafa Mir, 22, son of Hameed Mir of Dachigam village of Bandipora. Mir was declared dead at Sub-district hospital Baramulla, health officials said. “He had suffered a head injury after being hit by a teargas shell,” a local medico Dr Pervez told KNS. Clashes had erupted in Bandipora after forces prevented people from marching towards the Eidgah where they were planning to offer prayers. Thousands of people participated in the last rites of Mir and was laid to rest amid tearful adieu. The local KNS correspondent Nisar Anjum reported from Bandipora that the Nimaz-e-jinaza of Mir was offered in the same Eidgah where he was had planned to offer Eid prayers.
Later in the day another youth was killed in clashes between government forces and protesters in Shopian district of south Kashmir. The deceased was identified Shahid Ahmad Seh, as son of Mohammad Yousuf, resident of Nagbal village of Imam Sahib area of the district. Quoting witnesses local reporter of KNS Fayaz Wani reported from Shopian that six people were injured in the clashes and all the injured were rushed to PHC Harmain where Shahid was declared brought dead.
Another civilian Jallaluddin, 45, died of heart attack when a teargas shell fired at protesters outside abruptly dropped into the Awantipora mosque where he was.
Twenty persons were reported injured in clashes with government forces in Dooru area of Anantnag on south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday. Reports and witnesses said clashes erupted after forces tried to foil a pro-freedom demonstration in Dooru. The injured are being treated at Sub-district hospital Dooru and Emergency and Trauma hospital Qazigund.
At least eight persons were injured in clashes with government forces in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Tuesday. Reports said clashes erupted after people defied curfew in Kulgam town. Health officials said eight people sustained pellet injuries during the clashes.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Clashes erupted between protesters and government forces in Humhama area on Tuesday. Eyewitnesses said that the people from Humhama and its adjoining localities took to streets after praying Eid prayers at Eidgah Humhama. They said that forces resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the protesters. As youth clashed with forces after Eid prayers, eye Witnesses said forces fired pellets and tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters. Several people were injured in the clashes, they said. The condition of one of the injured youth who is son of Nazir Ahmad Ganaie a local residents was stated to be critical. This critically injured youth was operated upon at a main referral hospital in Srinagar.
Authorities had imposed strict curfew and restrictions in all major towns of the ten districts of Kashmir.
Fearing post-prayer protests, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir sealed all roads leading to Dargah Hazratbal and Jamia Masjid in Srinagar to prevent big Eid congregations.
Reports said that police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength around these Masjids.
Joint resistance camp has asked people to march towards the UN office in Sonawar today after Eid prayers to demand resolution of the Kashmir issue.
Meanwhile, curfew continued in all the 10 districts of Kashmir to thwart the march.
Eid prayers were not offered at the revered shrine of Hazrat Syed Yaqoob Sahib (RA) in Sonwar area of Srinagar due to curfew imposed by the authorities.
The main gate of shrine was locked and heavy deployment of forces was put on place.
Strict curfew was imposed as the authorities fear people could march towards the UN office after Eid prayers. Pro-freedom protests were reported across the Kashmir.
Meanwhile police in a statement issued to KNS said forty four incidents of stone pelting were reported from across the valley till filing of this report. The statement said “despite serious provocations by the stone pelting mobs the police and security force personnel exhibited maximum restraint”. Police in its statement further said “reports of coercion by miscreants of forcing the shopkeepers to close their shops for Eid shoppers have been received from various places. The miscreants who indulged in pressurising the shopkeepers and vendors are being identified and they will be dealt with under law”. (KNS)