Despite curfews, violent clashes continue
Srinagar: Three persons were killed and more than 150 were injured in clashes that erupted at several places of restive Kashmir after Friday prayers, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the state up to 53.
The clashes broke out between protesters and security forces amid curfew restrictions in the state.
Mohammad Maqbool Khanday was killed in police action in clashes at Nagam in Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, where mobs threw stones at security men, a police official said.
As the news of Khanday’s death spread, protests erupted in several places along the Chanapora-Chadoora road and clashes were reported from Kralpora, he said.
Three youngsters were critically injured in police action in clashes that erupted at Khansahib area of Budgam district, the official said.
The injured were taken to SMHS hospital, which declared one “brought dead”.
The death of the youth led to protests within the hospital and some protesters pelted stones at the Karan Nagar Police Station nearby.
One youth was killed in a clash in Sopore.
Mobs also pelted stones at Minister of State for Health Asia Naqash’s house in Habbak area of Srinagar. Angry mobs also attacked Independent MLA Hakeem Mohd Yaseen’s house in Khan Sahib. There are no injuries in either incident.
Clashes were also reported from Sopore town and Palhallan town in north Kashmir Baramulla district and Goshbug in Kupwara district.
Although more than 100 people are reported injured in these clashes, there is no official word on the number.
Authorities extended curfew to more areas of Kashmir earlier in the day to foil a planned march by separatists to Hazratbal shrine. Restrictions were imposed in the whole of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam, Anantnag town, Awantipora, Kulgam town, Baramulla districts, excluding Sopore, Shopian town, Kaloosa in Bandipora and parts of Handwara, the police official said.
The curfew meant the Valley remained paralysed for the 28th day.
Mobile Internet services remained unavailable in the Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections have been stopped.
Separatists have extended shutdown in Kashmir until August 12 and have demanded resignations of mainstream politicians.
Violence that began in the Kashmir Valley since Hizbul Mujahidden militant Burhan Wani was killed on July 8 has left nearly 6,000 injured.
