Kashmir toll 96 in 100 days of unrest

SRINAGAR - The toll in the 100 days of unrest in the Kashmir Valley mounted to 96 Saturday as a man was killed in violent protests in south Kashmir’s Anantnag town after a youth’s body was fished out of the Jhelum river, police said.

A 22-year-old injured in clashes between security forces and protesters Friday in Boatman Colony (Bemina) in Srinagar also succumbed to his injuries in hospital Saturday.

“Fayaz Ahmad Naiku of Boatman Colony (Bemina), who was admitted to SKIMS (Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura) Friday after being injured in clashes with security forces, died in hospital today,” a senior police officer said.

Violence erupted in Anantnag town in the morning as the body of a youth was fished out from the Jhelum river. He allegedly jumped into the river after a mob was chased by security forces last week.

Defying curfew, people took out a large procession carrying his body. The procession turned violent as agitating mobs attempted to torch government property. Security forces then opened fire, killing a 25-year-old identified as Noorul Amin Dagga.

“The body of a youth identified as Maroof Ahmad Nath was fished out from Jhelum river in Anantnag today and a huge procession was held in the town, defying the curfew imposed there,” the officer said.

“The mobs attacked security forces deployed to enforce curfew restrictions and also attempted torching public property. Security forces had to open fire and one person died in the firing,” the officer added.

Five people were also injured in the incident.

Police said an angry mob set a policeman’s house on fire in Pinjoora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district Friday night.

Indefinite curfew continued in all major towns across the valley for the sixth consecutive day Saturday with many residents of Srinagar complaining of shortages of medicines, baby foods and cooking gas.

“Curfew continues in Srinagar city, Ganderbal, Kangan, Magam, Kulgam, Qoimoh, Bandipora, Sumbal, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Kupwara, Kralpora, Trehgam, Handwara, Chotipora, Kulangam, Shopian and Pulwama towns,” a police official said.

Curfew-like restrictions have also been imposed in north Kashmir Baramulla and Sopore towns.

“We are aware of the inconvenience faced by law-abiding citizens of the city and the situation is being monitored almost on an hourly basis to decide on phased relaxation in the imposed restrictions,” a police officer said.

“People are requested to contact the station house officers (SHOs) of their area in case of any emergency,” the officer said.

“Rest assured no law-abiding citizen will suffer because of the miscreants who target public property and security forces in order to stoke passions of the peaceful people here,” he added.

The valley has been under curfew since 18 people were killed in unprecedented violence Monday, Sep 12.