Three protestors killed, ten injured in Mendhar clashes

JAMMU - Three protesters were killed and ten seriously injured when police opened fire in Mendhar town of Poonch District on Wednesday. Other reports said at least 30 had been injured in the clash.

Muslims chanting “Down with Quran desecrators” and “We want freedom”, were a holding a protest against alleged reports of the burning of the Quran in the United States. During the protest, they tried to set a missionary school on fire, which prompted the police to open fire.

The injured protesters were brought to Rajouri and then airlifted to Jammu for treatment.

Bashir Khan, an eyewitness, said: “A peaceful procession was being held, but sub-divisional police officer ordered indiscriminate firing on peaceful protestors.”

The new clashes came two days after 18 protesters and a police officer were killed in street battles.

Authorities slapped a round-the-clock curfew across the territory and also threatened to shoot violators on sight.

The recent eruption of violence has left the government searching for a new strategy for dealing with the protests.

This summer, the violence in the Kashmir Valley has claimed nearly 90 lives. By Tahir Nadeem Khan (ANI)