Tension in Kashmir mounts after boy’s killing

SRINAGAR - With an 11-year-old boy being killed in police firing and another critically injured, tensions have spiralled in the Kashmir Valley prompting authorities Tuesday to impose curfew in this summer capital and other towns.

Irshad Ahmad Parray, 11, was killed when a huge mob of stone pelters attacked the Sherbagh police post in Anantnag town Monday evening after which security forces fired rubber bullets at the protesters.

With Parray’s death, the number of people who have lost their lives in the ongoing unrest which started here June 11 has risen to 65.

“Curfew has been imposed in Srinagar city, Anantnag and Pulwama towns while restrictions will remain in place in some areas close to the airport road in central Badgam district,” a police officer said here.

Monday’s trouble saw Yaseer Ahmed Sheikh being injured in police firing. Doctors at the S.M.H.S. hospital in Srinagar have described his condition as critical.

Sheikh was injured when a policeman fired at some youth playing carrom in the curfew bound Maisuma locality of the city.

Following the incident, senior police officers here said the policeman had been suspended and a case registered against him for unprovoked firing at the youth.

Four others had also sustained gunshot wounds in the incident while Sheikh had received pellet injuries in his lower abdomen.

Shops, educational institutions, other businesses, banks, post offices and public transport remained closed in Srinagar city following imposition of curfew and separatist called shutdown.

The Valley Tuesday entered the 81st day of civil unrest during which education, businesses, transport services and all other routine activities of life have come to a grinding halt.

“The misery now seems to be endless. I personally do not see any ray of hope anywhere. This place has become cursed,” said a businessman here who did not want to be named.