Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Seven Kashmiris killed by police and CRPF

Greater Kashmir

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Thousands defy curfew, face bullets



Srinagar, Aug 25: At least seven persons including two women were killed and nearly 200 persons sustained injuries in police and CRPF firing across the Valley on Monday as thousands of people defied the curfew and tried marching towards Lal Chowk in response to the call of Coordination Committee, an alliance of pro-freedom groups, lawyers, social, trade and religious organisations. The CC is demanding opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, release of all detainees, withdrawal of all special powers to troops.
3 killed in Hajan
Eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir hundreds of people from different villages in north Kashmir defied the curfew and assembled in Hajan chowk this morning and tried marching towards Srinagar. “Policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers who were deployed in strength in the area opened fire on protesters killing Muhammad Shafi Dar son of Ghulam Nabi and injuring at least 40 others. The injured were rushed to a hospital where Nassema wife of Muhammad Ashraf succumbed,” witnesses added.
As the news about the firing and death of two civilians including a woman spread in the area, hundreds of people again came out on the roads and defied the curfew demanding that erring troopers be punished. “ Troopers again fired on the protesters killing another youth Shahid Ahmed Pahlu of Saderkote Bala and injuring six others. The injured were rushed to a hospital.”
After three people were killed Deputy Commissioner Bandipore accompanied by other top officials reached the spot to take stock of the position. As the word about DC arriving on the spot spread people again came out to ask the DC why peaceful protesters were fired upon by the police and troopers. “Seeing hundreds of people approaching police and troops again opened fired to disperse the mob injuring six more persons,” witnesses said.
Sources said that in day long protests at least 52 persons sustained bullet injuries out of which 21 were referred to different hospitals in Srinagar. Condition of 13 injured persons is stated to be critical.
2 killed, 15 injured in Pulwama
According to Greater Kashmir reporter for Pulwama, Ayub Javed, two protesters were killed and fifteen others injured when troopers opened fire on them near Pulwama chowk on Monday.
Eyewitnesses said that thousands of people breached the curfew and assembled in Puwlama township this morning and tried marching towards Srinagar.
“Policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers who were deployed in strength in the area tried to disperse the protesters by resorting to baton charge and firing numerous tear smoke canisters. Angry protesters retaliated by pelting stones triggering a fierce clash forcing troopers to flee,” witnesses said. They said later troopers opened fire killing a protester identified as Basit Bashir and injuring five others. The injured were rushed to a hospital where Fayaz Ahmed Wani died.
Woman killed, 6 injured in Handwara
A woman was killed and six others injured when troopers opened fire to disperse a procession at Handwara in north Kashmir on Monday, police sources said.
They said that troopers fired upon the procession near Chontipura Handwara this afternoon killing Fameehda wife of Fayaz Ahmed on spot and injuring six others.
A police official told Greater Kashmir, “ Fameehda was killed when troopers opened fire to disperse a mob that was staging a demonstration outside an Army camp.”
Procession fired upon in Narbal, youth killed, 16 injured
A youth was killed and at least 16 others injured when paramilitary CRPF troopers opened fire to disperse a procession at Narbal on Srinagar-Varmul highway on Monday, witnesses said.
They said troopers deployed near Hanzghat Narbal opened fire to disperse a procession which was heading towards Srinagar killing a youth Showkat Ahmed Khanday son of Muhammad Abdullah Khanday on spot and injuring 16 others.
Curfew defied in Kupwara, Beerwah, Palhallan, Sopur
At least two persons were injured when troopers opened fire to disperse a procession in frontier district of Kupwara on Monday, witnesses said.
They said that hundreds of people defied the curfew and were marching towards Srinagar. Troopers deployed near Lone Hari fired upon the processionists injuring two of them critically.
Troopers and policemen resorted to baton charge and fired numerous tear smoke canisters to disperse the protesters near Palhallan in north Kashmir, witnesses said, adding, in the police action at least six persons were injured.
Reports from Beerwah in central Kashmir’s Budgam district said that hundreds of people defied the curfew and tried marching towards Srinagar, policemen and troopers intercepted them and fired tear smoke canisters to disperse them. Protesters retaliated by pelting stones and clashed with policemen. Clashes were going on when reports last came in.
Reports said that troopers fired scores of tear smoke canisters and resorted to aerial firing to disperse a procession near Mazbugh Sopur in north Kashmir on Monday. However, no one was injured in the police action.
Protests rock south Kashmir
Reports from south Kashmi said that residents of Shopian, Tral, Awantipora, Barsoo, Bijbehara, Batangoo, Khanabal, Qazigund, Kulgam Islamabad, Dooru Shahabad, Verinag, Kapran, Kokernag,Phalgam and other towns defied curfew and tried marching towards Srinagar. However, policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers who were deployed in strength in the area foiled the attempts of the protesters to march ahead.
3 hurt in Ganderbal
According to Greater Kashmir reporter for Ganderbal, Sheikh Nazir, at least three persons were injured when police and CRPF fired numerous tear smoke canisters and reorted to baton charge to stop hundreds of protesters from marching towards Lal Chowk on Monday.
Residents of Baderkund, Nunar, Gotlibagh and adjacent villages in Ganderbal district marched towards Beehama Chowk this morning when they reached near police lines Ganderbal, a contingent of police tried to disburse them. However, protesters offered stiff resistance and refused to disperse, policemen and CRPF troopers fired tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge injuring at least 3 persons including a woman.
Hundreds of protesters from Lar, Kurhama, Watlar and its adjacent areas marched towards Dudarhama Chowk. The procession was disbursed by using smoke shells by the police and CRPF near Kheer Bhawani police station and was not allowed to go ahead.
One person was hurt when police and CRPF fired numerous tear smoke canisters to disperse a procession which was coming from Sherpathri, Bamloora, Saloora and its adjacent villages towards Tawheed Chowk. All the entry points leading to Kangan town were sealed by the police, CRPF and Army.
Dalgate residents hold demo
Hundreds of people defied the curfew at Dalgate, here on Monday and staged a massive protest demanding stern action against the erring CRPF troopers who shot dead Ghulam Qadir Vakil and injured his son Muhammad Yakoob Vakil at Buchwara on Sunday.
Protesters staged a sit-in at Dalgate demanding that accused troopers be arrested. Police had registered an FIR against CRPF under section 302 and 307 RPC.
ISL leader beaten
Senior leader of Islamic Students League Shakeel Ahmed Bakshi was allegedly beaten to pulp by the CRPF troopers near Batmaloo when he was leading a procession towards Lal Chowk. Bakhsi was later rushed to a hospital.


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