Kashmir toll 98 in 100 days of unrest (Evening Lead)

SRINAGAR - The Kashmir Valley witnessed another bloody day Saturday as three people were killed in firing by security forces on protesting mobs, taking the toll in 100 days of unrest to 98 as authorities relaxed the indefinite curfew in parts of Srinagar and other areas to allow people to buy essentials.

The body of a drowned youth was fished out from the Jhelum river in the morning, triggering more violent protests.

The latest to die in security forces firing was Ali Muhammad Waza, 32, who was injured in firing in Palhalan village in north Kashmir Baramulla district earlier in the day and succumbed to injuries in the evening.

“Waza was injured in clashes with security forces earlier today and succumbed to critical injuries in a hospital this evening,” a police officer said here.

Earlier, another protester identified as Asrar Ahmad, 35, was killed when security forces intervened to disperse an unruly stone-pelting mob that blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla highway at Palhalan village.

The body of a youth, allegedly drowned after being chased by security forces during clashes in south Kashmir Anantnag town last week, was fished out from Jhelum river early Saturday, leading to protests during the funeral procession.

Noorul Amin, a protester, was killed in security forces firing in Anantnag town when unruly mobs carrying the body of Maroof Ahmad Nath, the drowned youth, resorted to violence and arson there.

Authorities Saturday relaxed the indefinite six-day-long curfew for four hours in uptown areas of the city and later relaxed it for four hours in the old city areas as well.

“Curfew relaxation period passed off peaceful in the uptown Srinagar areas while some incidents of stone-pelting occurred in old city areas during the curfew relaxation period.

“By and large, the relaxation period passed off peacefully everywhere here today,” police here said.

In many uptown areas of Srinagar city people came out in large numbers to buy essentials as they had not been able to do so because of the 24X7 six-day-long curfew, which was relaxed by the authorities after assessment of the law and order situation.

Hardline separatist Hurriyat group headed by Syed Ali Geelani has asked people to observe a protest shutdown here Saturday and resume normal activities of life from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on all the 11 days for which the group has already issued a protest calendar.

The protest calendar is part of the Quit Kashmir campaign started by the separatists in the Valley.