One killed in protests, Srinagar tense (Second lead)

SRINAGAR - Tension gripped Srinagar Sunday after a man was killed in police firing at a mob which attacked a CRPF post protesting the death of another youth in earlier clashes, officials said.

Angry youth indulged in stone-pelting at security forces in various parts of the city and police resorted to firing in the air to quell the protests, the officials added.

Hundreds of people took out a procession, carrying the body of Javaid Ahmad Malla, the 26-year-old killed Sunday morning when a mob attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) post in Noorbagh area of the city.

“Police had to fire warning shots in the air to put down the violent protest,” a police officer said here.

Malla was killed and five people were injured when protesters attacked the CRPF post during the funeral procession of Muhammad Rafiq Bangroo, another youth who succumbed late Saturday to injuries he had suffered a week earlier in clashes with security forces.

Bangroo’s relatives allege he had been beaten up by security men June 12 during protests in Safa Kadal area of the Old City. He battled for life for a week.

A police officer Sunday justified the firing on the mob in the morning.

“The security men fired in self-defence,” a police officer said.

Two of the injured are said to be critical.

As news of Malla’s death spread, street protests erupted and incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Rainawari, Maisuma, Nowshera and Gojwara areas of the city.

Authorities deployed more police and CRPF personnel in the Old City areas and imposed curfew in the areas falling under Safa Kadal police station.