Protesters clash with security men in Srinagar, one hurt

SRINAGAR - A teenager was critically injured when security forces fired at a protesting mob that defied curfew restrictions in the summer capital Srinagar Friday.

Iqbal Khan sustained a bullet wound in his head when the mob clashed with security forces in uptown Chanapora locality, five kilometres from the city centre Lal Chowk.

“The injured person was moved to the S.M.H.S hospital where attending doctors have referred him to Soura Medical Institute. Doctors said the teenager was very critical and battling for life,” a source in the hospital told IANS.

Unconfirmed reports said four more people were hurt in the violence.

The irate mob at Chanapora defied restrictions imposed by authorities in the city to thwart the protests called by separatists post Friday prayers and a march to the city’s uptown Maisuma locality.

The hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat group led by Syed Ali Geelani has called for post Friday prayer protests and the march against alleged human rights violations by the security forces in Kashmir.

“Police vehicles mounted with loudspeakers came to our area late Thursday, announcing imposition of curfew. It clearly said the district magistrate had imposed curfew in the city,” said Nazir Ahmad, a businessman living in the Old City Naidkadal area.

Mehraj-ud-Din, a fruit-seller in the upscale Residency Road area near Lal Chowk, added: “I was going home after collecting my stocks of fruit when a police gypsy came and said curfew had been imposed in the area.”

Restrictions have also been imposed by authorities in north Kashmir Baramulla, Sopore, Handwara and Kupwara towns.

As many as 15 civilians have been killed in the Valley since June 11 in alleged firing by security forces. Two were drowned during protests between unruly mobs and security forces.