A 27-year-old man from Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, who was seriously injured in a road accident amid stone-pelting on September 30, succumbed to his injuries at SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Monday, even as complete shutdown was observed for the 87th consecutive day across Kashmir.
The deceased was identified as Muhammad Yousuf Khanday of Narbal area of Budgam district. He had sustained severe skull injuries on September 30 when a bike he was on rammed into a barricade placed by protesters near Kawoosa bus stop on Srinagar-Gulmarg Highway, his family members said.
“He succumbed to his injuries early in the morning at SKIMS, Soura,” said Nazir Ahmed Khanday, father of Muhammad Yousuf. He was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Gagarpora.
Khanday was the sole bread-winner for his family. He is survived by his wife and two sons besides elderly parents. Meanwhile, day-long clashes were reported from Kawoosa and Khalisa-Kawoosa areas of the district during which youth pelted stones on forces.
Locals alleged that forces smashed windowpanes of dozens of residential houses in Doni Mohallah of Kawoosa and damaged two transformers in Check Kawoosa. Meanwhile, reports said an oil tanker got stuck in the intense clashes on Srinagar-Gulmarg highway near Kawoosa. Reports said at least 10 people including three women sustained injuries during clashes in Kawoosa.
Late evening clashes erupted in Narbal chowk where forces fired dozens of tear smoke shells to disperse the protesting youth, eyewitness said. Forces had been deployed at the key points of Beerwah-Magam road to quell any possible freedom march or protests. Residents of Mazhama and Kanihama villages of Budgam district also alleged unprovoked vandalism of residential houses by the forces. Situation was tense till late evening as heavy contingents of forces were deployed at Mazhama and Kanihama.
South Kashmir
At least 10 people were injured in protests that erupted after forces went on rampage in Pulwama villages.
Locals in Nikas Aadibal alleged that forces went berserk in the area. “The forces barged into houses, smashed windowpanes and beat up the inmates.” they said “Eight youth were also detained by the forces.”
The forces’ action triggered massive protests and clashes in the area. “Forces lobbed tear shells and used pellets to disperse the protesters as a result of which at least six people were injured,” locals said. Forces also ran amok in Rajpora area, barging into houses, sashing windowpanes and beating up inmates including women and children.
Clashes also erupted in Tahab village of the district in which at least four people sustained minor injuries. Strict restrictions were imposed in Qaimoh town and adjoining Khudwani village after yesterday’s violent clashes in which at least 30 people had sustained grievous injuries.
“Army was seen deployed in the entire area to thwart any attempt of protests,” locals said.
North Kashmir
Clashes broke out in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Reports said three youth sustained injuries while one of them sustained pellets in eyes at Trehgam area of the district. Police and paramilitary forces intercepted a group of protesters in Trehgam town, who pelted stones on them. They burst tear smoke shells and fired pellets, reports said. Later the forces damaged windowpanes of residential houses in Sheikpora, Shahmohalla and several other localities. A torch procession was carried out in Ajas areas of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district after Magrhib prayers. The protesters were shouting pro-freedom slogans and marched through inner streets of Ajas village. The rally later culminated peacefully.
Central Kashmir
Reports said locals at Wakura, Ganderbal assembled at Eidgah of their locality and staged protests against arrest of local youth. However, they, after chanting pro-freedom and pro-Islamic slogans, dispersed peacefully.
Muhammad Mohsin Sheikh, a class 11th student of Saloora was detained by the police from the locality last evening.
Srinagar
Situation remained by and large peaceful across Srinagar. A considerable movement of private vehicles and pedestrians was seen at Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Batamaloo and Karan Nagar areas. Meanwhile, all NGOs, Athrout, Darul Khair, Hazrat Sheikh Dawood (RA) Khidmat Khalaq Trust Batamaloo, Jamaat-e-Islami, Dawat-e-Islami, Social Reforms Organisation, Sheikh Albani Charitable Trust, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) closed their operations at SMHS hospital on the directions of police. Police had given one-hour ultimatum for these NGOs for winding up their tents and other belongings late on Sunday evening.
