- Govt foils Eidgah march with full might
- 4 receive pellet injuries in Lawaypora
- Protest rallies held across Kashmir
- Evening clashes in Srinagar
- Curfew in all major towns
- ‘30 Kashmiri youth joined militancy upto July this year’
A 55-year-old lady of Bemina, Srinagar, died of heart attack Thursday evening when paramilitary CRPF men allegedly threw stones at her house and trained guns at her.The victim was identified as Jameela wife of Abdur Rashid Khan of Nundresh Colony-B, Bemina. The incident happened at 6:30 p.m.
Talking to Kashmir Post, Abdur Rashid Khan said that his wife noticed that CRPF men were throwing stones at their house. “She went upstairs and opened the window. The CRPF men trained guns at her. Due to fear, she collapsed instantly and fainted. We took her to nearby SKIMS Medical College Hospital where doctors declared her brought-dead,” Khan said.
A group of emotionally charged local residents narrated same episode. “The CRPF men, who were part of a patrolling party, unleashed terror in the area by throwing stones at residential houses. There was no stone pelting or any protest in the area,” they said. “CRPF men parked their vehicles and threw stones at the residential houses creating fear among the residents. Jameela only opened her window just to inquire what was happening. The CRPF men trained guns at her resulting in her instant cardiac arrest.” The locals also pointed out towards the broken window panes of Jameela’s house. “See the damage caused by the CRPF men. Almost all window panes of entire house have been damaged,” they said.
Hospital authorities at SKIMS Medical College Hospital Bemina said that the lady was brought to hospital in the evening. “We conducted the ECG and it was flat. She was declared ‘brought-dead’. She had died of cardiac arrest,” they said.
The woman’s death triggered massive protests and clashes in entire Bemina area. The body of the woman was kept in a nearby park. Announcements were made on the loudspeakers of all masjids asking people to come out in protest against the woman’s death. Similar announcements were made in Chattabal and Batamaloo areas as well.
Talking to Kashmir Post, Senior Superintended of Police Srinagar, Amit Kumar, said there was no deployment of CRPF in Nundresh Colony. “The woman was brought dead to hospital. She died of a normal heart attack,” the Srinagar police chief said.
The women’s death took the death toll to 57 in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, with 55 of them civilians killed in police, para-military CRPF and Army firing since July 9. As many as 6000 civilians have been injured in action by government forces on pro-freedom protesters during the period with hundreds of them losing eyesight and others maimed for life due to firearm injuries. Kashmir has been witnessing widespread pro-freedom protests since the July 8 killing of popular militant commander Burhan Wani by security forces.
Eidgah Chalo Foiled
Authorities foiled the ‘Eidgah Chalo’ by imposing strict curbs in old Srinagar areas while all the main roads leading to the venue were sealed amid heavy deployment of forces. Curfew and restrictions continued in Kashmir on the 34th straight day. Police detained chairmen of both the factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, when they tried to defy the curbs and march towards martyrs’ graveyard. JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik continues to languish in Central Jail Srinagar. The pro-freedom leadership had called for a march to martyrs’ graveyard Eidgah in old Srinagar to commemorate the anniversary of Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who was killed in police firing in 2008.
Eye-witnesses told Kashmir Post that strict curbs were in force in majority of the old Srinagar areas in a bid to thwart the Eidgah chalo call. “Police had placed rolls of concertina wires on all the main roads leading to the venue while mobile bunkers had been also been placed at various places to ensure no one heads towards martyrs’ graveyard,” they said. However, people defied curfew in many parts of old Srinagar and tried to proceed towards Eidgah. They were, however, intercepted by the police and paramilitary forces by resorting to firing of tear gas shells. Dozens of people led by Hurryat Conference (M) leader Masroor Abbas Ansari took out a protest march from Ansari Chowk, Khanqah-e-Sokhta, Nawakadal. Reports said when the protesters tried to walk towards the venue, police swung into action and detained Ansari and lodged him in police station Safa Kadal. Itehadul Muslimeen spokesman condemned the detention of Ansari stating that such tactics “won’t suppress the freedom struggle.” Another protest march was led by JKLF leader Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri that started from Kanimazar. Witnesses said that the protesters managed to reach Watal Kadal in old Srinagar where police used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Reports said that a heavy contingent of police and paramilitary forces was deployed in and around Eidgah to prevent any public gathering. “The police had literally put the historic Aali Masjid at Eigah under siege,” reports said.
In the 34 days of curfew and restrictions in Kashmir, 57 people including two cops were killed while over 5200 civilians sustained injuries with more than 500 with grave pellet injuries in their eyes.
Geelani, Mirwaiz detained: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained when they tried to defy the restrictions and lead a protest march towards Eidgah. Geelani was detained outside his Hydepora residence while Mirwaiz was taken into police custody outside his Nigeen residence. The two leaders were later released and again placed under house detention.
Evening clashes, protests in Srinagar: Four youth sustained pellet injuries in clashes with forces at Lawaypora on Srinagar outskirts. Reports said that clashes were witnessed in Chattabal, Kakasarai and Rainawari areas of old Srinagar. Reports of evening clashes and torch processions also poured in from Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal and Noorbagh area of Srinagar. Clashes were also reported from Chotta Bazar area of old Srinagar, where police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. A torch procession was taken out at Nowgam area of uptown Srinagar.
South Kashmir
Pro-freedom rallies continued across South Kashmir even as authorities foiled Eidgah Chalo called by joint resistance leadership by imposing strict curfew in all big and small towns for the 34th running day. A massive pro-freedom rally was held in Talangam village of Pulwama. The rally was part of the unity (Itihad-I-Millat) conference of various sects. “People were seen shouting pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan slogans and waving Pakistani flags,” witnesses said. Similar rallies were held at DK Pora-Imam Sahib and Wachi areas of Shopian. Thousands attended these rallies. People from many Shopian villages were seen thronging the venue treading several miles on foot, riding bikes and reaching in cars, load carriers and trucks. The rallies were addressed by religious clerics of Deobandis, Barelvis, Ahlihadith and Jamat-I-Islami besides Tehreek-I-Hurriyat (TeH) district president Shopian, Muhamad Yousud Falahi. A bike and car rally was also organized in the area.
Another pro-freedom rally was held in Sagam village of Kokernag in Anantnag district wherein a Congress Sarpanch and eight Panchs announced to sever their ties with all pro-Indian parties and join ongoing freedom movement. “We apologize for our association with a pro-Indian party,” said a village Sarpanch of Congress. He was flanked by 8 other Panchs of Congress. “We take pledge not to have affiliation with any pro-Indian party in future – be it Congress, NC or PDP,” they said adding they will be part of freedom movement now.
Meanwhile, curfew remained in place in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam and Pampore towns. In Pampore, police and CRPF men foiled the remembrance meet on the occasion of 8th death anniversary of Peoples League (PL) leader-Sheikh Abdulm Aziz at Khankah. People in the area have now called for joint Friday prayers at Khankah. Violent clashes erupted in Prichoo area of Pulwama and Pazalpora village of Bijbehara. Reports of protests also poured in from Sangam, Kokernag, Vesu and Qazigund in Anantnag district and Kakpora and Tahab in Pulwama district. Nocturnal protests against excesses by forces were reported from Lower Munda area of Anantnag on the Srinagar-Jammu highway. Army vehicles were seen patrolling the Srinagar-Jammu highway at many places- Vesu-Qazigund, Wanpoh, Bijbehara, Sangam, Charsoo, Awantipora, Lethpora, Barsoo and Pampore. Late night reports said that clashes erupted in Janglat Mandi area of old town Anantnag when youth attacked a police post. Forces lobbed tear gas shells at the premises of District Hosptial Anantnag yet again. Reports of clashes also poured in from Achajipora area of old town in which three cops sustained injuries.
North Kashmir
Clashes between groups of youth and police were witnessed at Dewanbagh bridge in Baramulla town and at Palhallan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Police fired teargas shells and clashes continued till evening. In Nihalpora pattan, scores of youths took out a pro-freedom protest demonstration and closed the Nihalpora Babareshi road for several hours.
Bar Association Baramulla staged a sit-in in the premises of court complex Baramulla against the killing spree in Kashmir. While condemning the killing of innocent civilians and use of pellet gun, the Bar demanded judicial probe in the incidents. “The use of pellet gun has left scores of youth blind and has inflicted a huge pain and anguish among the people,” said Abdul Salam Rather, president Bar Association Baramulla. Bar also demanded immediate end to use of pellet gun.
Reports from Kupwara district suggested that curfew was imposed in sensitive towns like Kuwpara, Handwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora while restrictions were placed in rest of the areas. Peaceful protest rallies were taken out in Arampora, Hatmulla, Rigipora, Awoora and Lalpora. Late night reports said that at least 12 people sustained injuries during clashes at Langate on Bahipora-Sopore road. In Bandipora district, reports said that youth threw stones at the cavalcade of SSP, when he tried to take stock of the situation at Ashtingo, Bandipora. Witnesses said that police fired dozens of tear gas shells to disperse the protestors. Locals of Saderkote-Bala area of the district alleged that Army has stopped water supply to them coming from a reservoir.
Meanwhile, police said in the evening that on the outskirts of Gundaripora, Pattan, militants fired upon some persons. “Four persons received firearm injuries. Two of the injured have been identified as Abdul Rehman Wani aged about 30 years and Aftab Ahmad Bhat, both residents of Gundaripora,” a police spokesman said. “Both of them have been evacuated to hospital. Two more persons have received minor injuries in the shootout and they have been treated locally.”
Reports from Sopore suggested that, amid complete shutdown, locals staged massive protests in Batpora, Arampora, Bomai, Tujjar, Brath-Kalan against the detention of youth and reports of booking local youth under PSA and shifting them to various prisons outside the State.
Central Kashmir
Shutdown was observed across Central Kashmir’s Budgam district for the 34th straight day. Restrictions were imposed in Chadoora, Budgam, Magam, Khag and Beerwah areas. Reports said that after Magrib prayers, protests erupted from various areas of the district.
Reports of evening protests poured in from Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Reports said that pro-freedom marches were held in Baroosa, Dudherhama, Beehama and Saloora areas. The district observed complete shutdown, the reports said.
Police Version
A police spokesman said that the situation in Kashmir remained by and large normal barring few incidents of stone pelting. “Although restrictions under section 144/CrPC remained in force in Kashmir, curfew was imposed in some parts of Srinagar, Pampore town and Anantnag town only,” he said. “There was a stone pelting on security force deployments in Goriwan area of Bijbehara, Anantnag. Later on they were chased away by using mild force.” The spokesman said, “In Srinagar a group of miscreants pelted stones on security force deployments near Kakasarai in the jurisdiction of Police Station Karan Nagar, Srinagar. “They were chased away,” he said.
