- Over 300 injured in fresh clashes, 200 in South Kashmir alone
- Forces foil scores of freedom rallies
- Srinagar erupts against civilian killings, forces’ atrocities
- Several fruit growers injured in Sopore
- Minor girl injured in Bandipora
A teenager was killed in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district when forces opened fire on people while six others sustained serious bullet injuries on Wednesday, taking the death toll in the ongoing uprising—which entered 54th day—to 71. While locals said army opened fire, the army said it wasn’t involved in the youth’s killing and the allegations against it are baseless.
At least 300 more people—200 from southern villages alone—were injured across Kashmir in day-long clashes, majority of them due to pellets fired by forces, when they tried to foil huge pro-freedom rallies. In Srinagar, massive rallies were foiled in old Srinagar, triggering violent clashes that left over 25 people injured, witnesses said.
With the fresh killing, the death toll in the past 54 days of anti-India uprising triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, has mounted to 71 while over 7500 youth have sustained injuries—over 500 of them hit by pellets in eyes—during this period. Dozens of youth have received grave pellet injuries in their eyes and have lost their eyesight partially or fully, according to doctors.
Fresh Killings
According to witnesses, forces fired indiscriminately on a group of protesting youth near office of Block Development Officer Rohama and also at Ladoora in Rafiabad area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district after barging into villages, leaving at least six youth injured. One of them, they said, later succumbed. The slain youth was identified as 18-year-old Mehraj-u-Din Lone alias Danish S/O Manzoor Ahmad of Nadihal, Rafiabad. The injured youth were identified as Idrees Ahmad and Muhammad Ishfaq, both residents of Ladoora, who were shifted to SK Institute of Medical Sciences at Srinagar for specialized treatment and their condition was stated to be critical.
Four other injured identified as Firdous Ahmad Ganaie, Muhammad Ashraf Lone, Bilal Ahmad Dar and Riyaz Ahmad Bhat were operated upon for bullet wounds at Baramulla district hospital.
The killing took place at around 10.15 am, long after a minor stone-pelting incident on Baramulla-Kupwara highway, near village Nadihal, witnesses said. The forces, according to scores of local residents, barged into the twin villages of Ladoora and Nadihal-Rafiabad after around one hour of the above-mentioned minor stone-pelting incident, and fired indiscriminately at people, leading to death of Mehraj-u-Din and injuries to six others. As the news of teenager’s killing spread around, thousands of people including women rushed to the slain youth’s residence. The youth’s body was wrapped in a green flag and taken on shoulders by thousands of people amid pro-freedom and anti-India sloganeering, and laid to rest—with all eyes around moist—at local martyrs’ graveyard.
Eyewitness Account
According to locals, there was tension in the area after reports of Army not allowing trade in Fruit Mandi Sopore spread. Several vehicles loaded with fruits were parked on the Baramulla-Kupwara highway at Ladoora, witnesses said, when a small group of youth—as part of routine morning protest in Nadihal—marched towards the highway where an incident of minor stone-pelting in Ladoora Chowk, took place. The Army men, according to locals—after around one hour—entered Nadihal and Ladoora villages and started indiscriminately firing on a group of youths near office of BDO Rohama. “The BDO office is located around one-km from highway and once forces started to move towards the village, they started instant firing without any provocation. Three youth who were standing near the BDO office received bullets, leading to death of one of them and injuries to two others,” said Ghulam Rasool of Nadihal, who said was present at the spot. Locals said forces also entered Ladoora village and fired randomly, leading to injuries to four more youth.
“As soon as forces entered the area, they started firing without any reason. At least four youth sustained bullet injuries in the incident,” said Muhammad Afzal, a resident of Ladoora.
At DH Baramulla
According to Baramulla district hospital officials, seven youth with bullet wounds were brought there this morning. One of the youths identified as Mehraj-U-Din Lone, who has suffered multiple bullet injuries, was declared brought dead on arrival while two injured youths were shifted to a Srinagar hospital.
“Four youths had suffered bullet injuries above-waist while three had injuries in lower limbs. One of the youths who was brought dead had suffered multiple injuries in chest and shoulder while other two youths also had grievous injuries and were shifted to Srinagar hospital as their condition was critical,” said Dr Masood, Medical Superintendent of Baramulla District Hospital.
Police Version
According to Uttam Chand, Deputy Inspector General of Police Baramulla, there had been an incident of stone-pelting in the area “after which forces opened fire, leading to killing of a youth.”
“Preliminary investigation suggests that there had been an incident of stone-pelting in the area following which an incident of firing on a group of youth occurred. We have already lodged an FIR at police station Sopore and are probing the happenings,” he said.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan, quoting a police report, alleged that “a mob of more than 900 people attacked an army convoy at Ladoora, Rafiabad and amidst stone-pelting some fires were shot on the army convoy on way to Kupwara.”
“The Army fired some rounds in air to disperse the mob. In the incident, four persons were injured and one of the injured identified as Danish Manzoor Lone S/O Manzoor Ahmed Lone R/O Nadihal Sopore succumbed to injuries. Police have initiated investigation in the matter,” the Div Com said in a statement. Locals however maintained that the area was completely peaceful when army resorted to firing.
Army Denies Hand
Army’s Srinagar-based spokesman, Lt Colonel N N Joshi said the allegations against the Army are “baseless.” “The inputs about Army being involved in the killing of youth are incorrect,” he claimed.
North Kashmir
A pro-freedom protest march was held this afternoon in old town Baramulla. Hundreds of youth participated in the march which started from Jamia Masjid and culminated at Azad Gunj Chowk.
Meanwhile, as the news of firing at Rafiabad spread in Baramulla town, a group of youths appeared on Tehsil Road and started pelting stones at vendors. The incident triggered panic in the area. Later, a group of youth appeared near Cement Bridge and started pelting stones at policemen who fired scores of tear-gas shells at the protesters. The clashes continued for some time. Reports of a pro-freedom protest march held this evening also came in from Hygam area. Hundreds of youths including women participated in it.
At least 10 persons including a minor were injured during day-long clashes in Kaloosa area of Bandipora. One of the youths identified as Danish Ahmed Dar of Kaloosa received pellet injuries in his left eye and was referred to a Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment. Doctors at SDH confirmed it. Earlier scores of youth assembled near Nadim Memorial Higher Secondary School to protest the detention of youth and the alleged forces’ highhandedness in the area. Police and paramilitary forces lobbed dozens of tear-gas shells and fired pellets to disperse the protesters. The situation turned violent in the afternoon when forces showered pellets on the protesting youth. Witnesses said at least 10 persons sustained pellet injuries in the police action and were referred to Sub-District Hospital Bandipora, where from one youth identified as Danish Ahmad Dar was referred to Srinagar hospital as he had a “grave” pellet injury in an eye. A 15-year-old girl identified as Nazia Rashid was also injured and was referred to Bandipora Hospital in an unconscious state after a tear-gas shell exploded in front of her.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, police resorted to tear-smoke shelling in Bandipora market to disperse a small gathering of people in Main Town. Locals accused police of “unprovoked tear-gas shelling.” They said as people ventured out in market, the cops arrived to fire teargas shells without any reason.
Meanwhile in Hajin township of Bandipora, hundreds of people offered congregational noon prayers on road in Main Chowk. Witnesses said people while raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans demanded release of youths detained by police in the area and marched through inner streets of Hajin town. Peaceful protests were also held in adjoining areas where the protesters later dispersed peacefully.
People from Palhalan, Goshbugh, Sultanpora, Nowgam, Kanyari and Ferozpura assembled in Naidkhi ground and held a rally to lodge protest the civilian killings. The protesters chanted anti-India, and pro-freedom slogans. Many elders who spoke on the occasion urged people to protest peacefully and remain steadfast and not to give forces a chance to fire bullets.
Meanwhile, PDP Block President Tahir-ul-Qadri of Sonawari constituency resigned from the party, accusing some PDP workers of “getting innocent youth arrested and ensure their release after demanding money from their parents.”
Reports from Sopore said panic gripped local Fruit Mandi after Police and CRPF personnel raided it and stopped the daily trade. Strong protests by fruit traders against the police action prompted the forces to fire scores of tear-gas shells, leading to injuries to six persons. Reports said massive protest rallies were held across Sopore especially in areas including Arampora, Batpora, Muslim Peer and Zainageer while an all-women rallies were taken out at Botengo and Jamia Qadeem, Hathi Shah and Chanakhan.
Reports from Kupwara district said scores of fruit trucks laden with apples from Langate were not allowed to proceed towards Fruit Mandi Sopore by forces, triggering protests in the area. Reports said clashes and stone-pelting was reported at Nutnoosa, as forces entered into residential houses, damaging windowpanes and furniture.
Witnesses said some forces took shelter in Migrant Pandit Staff Quarters at Nutnoosa after they were stoned by youth. Meanwhile, late evening reports said protests erupted in Batergam after a nine-year-old boy was hit by an Army vehicle.
South Kashmir
At least 200 people were injured across South Kashmir on Wednesday as forces used “excessive force” to foil peaceful pro-freedom rallies.
Violent clashes broke out in Katrasoo village of Kulgam district after forces attacked a peaceful pro-freedom rally there, leaving at least 20 persons injured.
“As the volunteers were making preparations for the rally, they (forces) raided the village and vandalized the venue. As people tried to resist, they lobbed teargas shells and fired pellets too,” locals said.
They said some of the injured had pellet injuries in eyes and head, and were being treated at District Hospital Kulgam and other local health facilities. However, people again assembled at the venue and the rally which was addressed by local pro-freedom leaders and religious clerics, was successfully held.
In Tengbal village of Kulgam, another rally was disrupted by forces, leading to clashes that left around 100 persons injured, most of them with pellets. “Some of the critically injured were referred to Srinagar,” witnesses said.
“The rally was going on peacefully, However, at around 2.30 pm, forces suddenly raided the village and lobbed teargas shells and fired pellets on people who had assembled there,” witnesses said.
The people in turn pelted stones on forces, triggering massive clashes which later spread to Bogund, Matalgam and Tooli Nowpora villages.
20 people sustained injuries in clashes that erupted in Khudwani village of Qaimoh.
“Four of the critically injured with pellet injuries in eye, head, throat were being treated at District Hospital Anantnag while the rest at Sub-District Hospital Qaimoh,” reports said.
At least 50 people were also reportedly injured in a similar incident in Karshangam village of Aishmuqam in Anantnag district. Police and CRPF personnel ransacked venue of a freedom rally there, according to locals, after which the people came out in large numbers and held protest demonstrations against the alleged police highhandedness. Forces responded with teargas shelling and pellet firing, leaving at least 50 people injured, the local residents said. The injured were treated at SDH Seer and SDH Aishmuqam.
“Two of the injured were referred to District hospital Anantnag.”
Scores of police and CRPF men were also reportedly injured in the intense clashes. People alleged that forces ransacked several houses, beat up inmates and smashed windowpanes both in Karshangam and adjoining Badigam village.
“They also broke the windowpanes of a local mosque,” they said.
At least 17 people sustained pellet injuries in Dialgam village of Anantnag.
People alleged that the forces’ action was unprovoked. “At around 6 pm people came out to open their shops in view of the relaxation call of joint resistance leadership. However, forces fired sling shots towards people, triggering clashes,” locals said.
The injured were being treated at District Hospital Anantnag.
In Pulwama district, 17 people were injured as clashes erupted and police used pellet guns to disperse the protesting youth, at Muran village. Eight people were also injured in the clashes in Arihama village of Shopian while clashes were also reported in its main town in the evening.
Massive protests erupted in SK Colony and Anchidora areas of Anantnag town early morning against arrest of an elderly man and alleged highhandedness of the government forces. The residents from these areas told Kashmir Post that forces ransacked household goods, smashed windowpanes and picked up an elderly man from Anchidora during nocturnal raids. Raids were also reported from nearby Dabruna village where an elderly man, Farooq Ahmad Dar, was picked up after forces raided his house while looking for his son. Locals alleged that police is picking up relatives, including fathers and brothers, of youth who according to them are wanted in cases of protests and stone-pelting and hence have gone into hiding. Protest demonstrations were also held in the evening in Mattan Adda area of Anantnag town. The local mosque loudspeakers were reverberating with pro-freedom slogans. Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in entire South Kashmir.
Srinagar
Old Srinagar areas erupted in the morning while clashes occurred in various areas that include Waniyar, Eidgah, Nawa Kadal, Khanyar, Bohri Kadal, and Rajouri Kadal. Reports said the first major rally started at 11 am from Gojwara that passed through Rajouri Kadal and Nawa Kadal. Witnesses said at least 5000 youth participated in the rally that was intercepted at Nawa Kadal by police. Forces resorted to firing of dozens of teargas shells and pellets, injuring at least 15 people.
Witnesses said another major rally was taken out from Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta that proceeded towards Khanyar in the afternoon. Police and CRPF men stopped the procession at Rangar Stop and resorted to heavy teargas shelling and pellet firing in which at least 10 youth sustained injuries.
Reports said another rally started from Nowhatta to Hawal. This too was stopped by forces who resorted to firing of tear-gas shells and pepper gas in which five youth were injured. Clashes were reported from various areas that include Lawaypora, HMT, 90-feet road Soura, Qamarwari, Bemina and also from the uptown areas that include Lasjan, Soiteng, Nowgam, Peerbagh, Kanipora, Dangerpora, and other areas. Reports of forces’ atrocities poured in from Rajouri Kadal where locals alleged that forces vandalized residential houses and ransacked household goods.
Meanwhile, protests were held at Habak Hazratbal for the entire day against the civilian killings and forces’ ‘atrocities’. Locals also said many youth were detained by forces who today fired dozens of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
Central Kashmir
Five policemen and 10 civilians were injured and some of them were shifted to SKIMS, Soura after clashes broke out between protesters and forces at Pandach area of Ganderbal district. The locals at Pandach were protesting on Ganderbal-Srinagar road against detention of local youth.
Reports of clashes between youth and forces also came in from Bakura and Alesteing after arrest of some youth in the areas. Police raided several residences in other localities in the district to nab youth wanted for alleged stone-pelting and other offences, officials said. Around eight youth were arrested during these raids. A peaceful protest rally was held at Chatergul, Kangan. The rally was held after funeral prayers of Haji Sheikh Ghulam Muhammad, a senior Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader who passed away at SKIMS due to cardiac arrest. Amid pro-freedom and pro-Islamic slogans, thousands participated in the funeral of Sheikh at Chhatergul, Kangan. Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani addressed the procession telephonically and hailed the role of Sheikh for his services.
Reports said Budgam district remained relatively peaceful today with no reports of any major incident.
‘Army Fired Indiscriminately’
20-year-old Ishaq Ahmad Lone had left his home this morning to reach District Hospital Baramulla where he is doing an internship. Before he could reach his destination, soldiers of Army’s 32 Rashtriya Rifles allegedly fired upon him and he was operated upon at SK Institute of Medical Sciences at Soura Srinagar.
Ishaq is among several civilians wounded in the firing in this north Kashmir village on Wednesday.
According to residents, the soldiers, who were manning convoy movement on the main road, suddenly entered the village and started firing indiscriminately on civilians.
“Nearly 150 meters away from main road leading to the village, residents were busy in conversation with each other. We got terrified when we saw soldiers running towards us. They started firing indiscriminately. This continued for four to five minutes,” the residents told Kashmir Post.
“There was peaceful atmosphere in the village; No protest was going at the place where Army resorted to firing,” they said. “Few people had protested nearly 25 to 30 minutes before at the main road, but at the time of firing, no protest was going on inside the village.”
The locals claim that Ishaq and Idress Ahmad, another youth who was injured, were not part of any protest.
“While Ishaq was waiting for an ambulance to take him to the hospital for his internship programme, Idress had gone out to buy some items from a shop,” said Ayaz Ahmad (name changed), a local.
According to locals, after the firing, people of nearby Nadihal village assembled and started marching towards Ladoora.
“As they were gathering, forces again resorted to indiscriminate firing, leaving several injured. A bullet hit Danish Manzoor in his chest and he succumbed later,” they said.
Three more civilians—Firdous Ahmad Ganie, Muhammad Ashraf and Bilal Ahmad—were also wounded at the spot.
Hospital records suggest that most of the injured were hit by the bullets in vital parts of their bodies.
“Most of them had got injuries above the waistline,” a doctor, wishing anonymity, said.
