Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 13: Police today sealed Lal Chowk and imposed strict curfew in its surroundings to prevent separatist march even as a police officer was among over 50 persons injured in clashes that broke out at several places across Kashmir while a protester who was injured last week succumbed to injuries today taking the death toll in last 36 days of violence to 57.
A protester, Suhail Ahmad Wani, who was injured in Lethpora area of Pulwama district when SDM Ramban’s security guard opened fired on protesters last week, succumbed at SKIMS hospital, Srinagar this morning.
Wani was injured in his head and was battling for his life at SKIMS, Soura in Srinagar. Another protester, Farooq Ahmad Kuchay, was killed on spot on that day on August 2.
Soon after body of Wani reached home, large number of people came out and protested at Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. They were later chased away. At least half a dozen protesters suffered minor injuries.
Another youth from Tangmarg area of Baramulla district who was injured in protests last evening was admitted at the SKIMS and his condition was stated to be very critical. Ashfaq Ahmad, 18, has been hit by pellets in the head and was operated today.
Police and para-military forces today sealed Lal Chowk and closed all roads leading to the city centre with concertina wires and erected iron barricades to foil separatist march. The separatists had called for Lal Chowk march on Aug 13 and 14.
Huge contingent of security forces were deployed on the roads and streets in and around Lal Chowk and all exit and entry routes were sealed.
Authorities imposed strict curfew in Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir and blocked BSNL broad band internet services till August 15 to prevent flare up in violence on August 14 and 15. The mobile internet services are already down for last one month. However, some broad internet connections in Partap Park area where most of the newspapers have their offices were functional. The post paid mobile services that were shut down last night were restored this morning.
The police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) personnel were deployed across Srinagar including in Old City, Maisuma, Batamaloo, Dalgate and Natipora areas since early morning to foil Lal Chowk march.
Security forces sealed roads with iron barricades and concertina wires and enforced curfew strictly so as to prevent Lal Chowk march. They were patrolling the streets and movement of people and traffic was completely restricted in the curfew bound areas.
However, as the deployment of security forces was withdrawn from the old city area of Srinagar, hundreds of people came out in protest and marched towards Lal Chowk. They were intercepted by Police and CRPF in Shaheed Gunj area leading to intense clashes. Police fired tearsmoke shells to disperse them. At least 10 protesters were injured in clashes.
And for the sixth day today, the vehicles on Srinagar-Jammu, Srinagar-Baramulla-Kupwara and Srinagar-Bandipora were seen plying in the morning.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained disrupted for 36th day today and major roads remained shut due to blockades by protesters.
The shops, business establishments and most of the Government offices remained shut with only some shops selling essentials opened in the early morning and late evening and people were seen busy in buying essentials.
Meanwhile, chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani staged a sit-in outside of his Hyderpora residence when he was not allowed to march towards Lal Chowk. Later, he went inside his house after over an hour.
Police detained Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, when he tried to march towards Lal Chowk and was taken to police station Nigeen. However, he was later released.
At least 13 cops, including an officer, were injured, one of them critically, in clashes that broke out in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district today.
One constable Dayim was critically injured when he was hit by a stone on his head during clashes in Ashtengoo area of the district. He has been airlifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment and was later shifted to New Delhi.
Twelve other policemen, including SHO Bandipora police station, Syed Gazanfar, and around a dozen protesters were injured in the clashes that lasted for several hours.
The residents alleged that security men beat up protesters and then damaged houses and private vehicles at Saderkoot Bala in Bandipora. Several protesters were injured.
Clashes and protests were reported from Palhallan area of Baramulla district after police arrested local youth on charges of stone pelting. As soon as the news of the arrest of youth spread some locals came out of their houses and protested against the arrests.
The doctors and para medic staff at sub district hospital Bijbehara in Anantnag district today protested against SHO Bijbehara and demand action against him for allegedly beating the hospital staff.
The doctors and staff said a local youth was critically injured yesterday and was being referred to Srinagar for treatment when the SHO allegedly took the ambulance to police station and didn’t allow them to move for over an hour.
Doctor also accused the officer of beating up hospital staff and ransacking the hospital thrice since last month.
After protesting for two hours, doctors resumed their work, saying that they don’t want patients to suffer.
A police spokesman said here today that the situation remained by and large peaceful throughout Kashmir valley although six incidents of stone pelting were reported from Bandipora, Baramulla and Srinagar.
“Restrictions under section 144/CrPC remained in force in the Valley. However, curfew was imposed in Srinagar and Anantnag towns only”, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said: “At Ashtingoo, Bandipora, miscreants about 200 in number disrupted the traffic movement and pelted stones on police and security forces. While dealing with the miscreants, two police personnel were seriously injured who were referred to Srinagar. One of them has been seriously injured in the eye and has been shifted for advance treatment to Delhi. In Kanoosa, Aloosa and Kemah, Bandipora, miscreants pelted stones on the security force deployments. Later, they were chased away.”
“At Palhallan, Pattan miscreants created disturbances on road and pelted stones on security force deployments. They were chased away by using mild force, the spokesman said adding “at Zampa Kadal, Srinagar miscreants pelted stones on security force deployments. They were also chased away”.
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