There was no let up in protests in Kashmir even as police claimed improvement in the situation following massive deployment of forces in riot gears throughout the valley.
Clashes erupted at various places even as army assisted police and paramilitary personnel to enforce curfew and restrictions. Normal life in the Valley remained affected for the 32nd consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and shutdown call given by separatist leaders.
The attendance in government offices and banks was also thin. Mobile internet services remained snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is also barred. People ventured out to buy essentials after 6 pm during the relaxation period as per the separatist protest calendar.
A police official said curfew was in force in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Batamaloo and Maharajgunj areas of Srinagar city and Anantnag town in south Kashmir. He said restrictions on assembly of four or more people were in force in rest of the valley.
North
According to reports, government forces allegedly barged into Sub-district hospital Sopore last night and detained some volunteers. The forces allegedly seized medicines which were being distributed free of cost. The agitated hospital staff later staged a protest against the action.
Hundreds of women staged peaceful protests in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district as part of the separatist protest programme. Scores of women took out a protest rally in Ajas area of Bandipora district. The protesting women marched from main chowk to Eidgah Ajas while chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
Hundreds of women from Warpora, Hathlangoo, Batengoo areas of Sopore staged a peaceful march at Batengoo.
Women staged a sit-in in Kupwara. Meanwhile, local residents alleged that police and CRPF men deployed during night in the district did not allow two ambulances ferrying critical patients from proceeding towards Srinagar hospitals. They said the ambulances were asked to go back, putting the lives of the patients at risk.
They said the ambulances, also carrying pregnant women, were stopped at Seelu Sopore by Army and were not allowed to proceed towards LD Hospital Srinagar.
The driver of the ambulance (JK1J-1340) Parvaiz Ahmed told a local news agency CNS that he was also ruthlessly beaten by army men.
The agency also quoted SP Sopore Harmeet Singh Mehta saying that it would have been better for the ambulance drivers to approach police station and lodge a complaint.
“Though night curfew remains in vogue in the town yet everyone is free to visit police stations for registrations of any complaint,” he said.
CNS also reported that in wake of restrictions imposed on the movement of vehicles during night time in North Kashmir, hospital authorities at Sub District Hospital Handwara have directed its medical and para-medical staff not to refer patients to Srinagar hospital during night hours.
The restrictions on night travel has drawn sharp criticism from people as critical patients can lose their lives if not referred to Srinagar hospitals in nick of time.
Medical Superintendent Sub-District Hospital Handwara Dr Abdul Rouf Bhat told CNS that he has directed employees not to refer patients during night time to Srinagar.
“It is a precautionary measure as we have heard that authorities have imposed ban on the night travel in North Kashmir. Our ambulances are being attacked and we don’t want to put ailing patients in trouble,” he said, adding, “We have devised a mechanism so that we can treat medicinal, gynecological or surgical patients effectively in the hospital.”
Meanwhile, in Laripora Lolab, hundreds of people, including men, women and children staged protests despite strict restrictions. Enraged over excesses committed by government forces, people defied curfew to stage a demonstration in the premises of Lalpora grand mosque on second consecutive day.
Dozens of lawyers affiliated with Bandipora Bar Association also held protest against the civilian killings, use of pellet guns and arrest spree in the district. Led by Bandipora, Bar Association President advocate Masood Bhat, the lawyers strongly condemned the civilian killings and use of pellet guns against protesters.
Srinagar
Clashes broke out in some parts of Srinagar including Batamaloo, Chattabal, Sanat Nagar, Nowgam, Chanpora, Gulshan Nagar, Kanpora, Peer Bagh, Hyderpora, Humhama, Chanpora, Karan Nagar and Saraibal. Police used tear smoke shells to disperse protesters.
Police Version
An official statement of police claimed that except for three incidents of stone pelting on police deployments in Awantipora,Lalpora Kupwara and Ajas area of Bandipora District, the overall situation in the valley remained under control.
“A group of miscreants assembled near village Chursoo, Awantipora on National Highway and tried to block the National Highway by pelting stones on the vehicles. In order to ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic, the police and security forces reached the spot and chased the miscreants away,” the police statement said.
“A mob of 3000 people assembled near Jamia Masjid Lalpora in Kupwara District and started stone pelting on the police and forces. Some militants were spotted in the mob. During dispersal of the mob two persons were injured. One of them was injured in stampede who has been referred to SKIMS Srinagar. About 70 miscreants pelted stones on police/security forces deployment at Ajas, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Sumbal. There are no reports of injury to anybody so far,” the statement added.
