Injured man dies in Kashmir, toll rises to 110

SRINAGAR - A 55-year-old man, allegedly beaten up by security forces Oct 7, died at a hospital here Friday, taking the death toll in the over four-month-long unrest in Kashmir Valley to 110. Authorities have imposed curfew in several areas to thwart a separatist protest march after Friday prayers.

“Ghulam Nabi Mir succumbed to a critical head injury in the hospital early today (Friday). He had been admitted for treatment Oct 7,” said a doctor at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura (SKIMS).

Relatives of the deceased alleged he had been beaten up by the security forces in Kadalbal area of south Kashmir’s Pampore town Oct 7.

An FIR under section 307 (attempt to murder) had been lodged in the Pampore police station Oct 9, police said.

Mir’s body was handed over to his relatives for burial.

In order to prevent violence as the separatists have called for post Friday prayer protests as part of their ‘Quit Kashmir’ campaign, authorities imposed curfew in Old City areas of Srinagar and some other places in south and north Kashmir.

“Curfew has been imposed in areas falling under Nowhatta, Rainawari, Khanyar, Safakadal and M.R. Gunj police stations in Srinagar,” said a statement released by the police.

“Curfew has also been imposed in Pampore, Baramulla, Pattan, Delina, Palhalan, Sopore, Dangiwacha, Kupwara, Kralpora, Trehgam, Handwara, Chottipora and Kulangam towns,” he added.

Although no curfew was imposed in uptown areas of Srinagar city but shops, educational institutions and other businesses remained closed due to the protest shutdown called by the separatists.

However, light traffic movement was noticed on uptown roads of the city.

Separatist shutdowns have crippled the valley since street unrest and clashes between civilians and security forces began in June.