Protesters clash with security forces in Kashmir town

SRINAGAR - Tension gripped north Kashmir’s Baramulla town Tuesday evening as stone-pelting youth clashed with the security forces following the death of a youth, police said.

Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were immediately deployed to bring the situation under control as stone-pelting youth took to streets in the Azad Gunj area of the town.

“Security forces are trying to bring the situation under control in the town. The security forces are acting with utmost restraint to ensure that no civilian casualty occurs during law and order control,” a senior police officer said here.

Zahoor Ahmad Dar, a youth belonging to old town Azad Gunj area, died in his home Tuesday and his relatives and locals alleged that he had been injured in clashes with security forces sometime back.

Police issued a statement in the evening, denying that the youth was injured in clashes with security forces.

“One youth identified as Zahoor Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Razzaq Dar and resident of Gousiya Colony, Azad Gunj, Baramulla, died today (Tuesday). It would be pertinent to mention that the name of the said youth was not entered in police records as injured during any kind of law and order problem,” the statement said.

“There were reports that the deceased was suffering from some ailment for the last few months,” it added.