- Kupwara youth killed in police firing
- Mobile, Internet services remain blocked
- Newspapers fail to hit stands for second day
- Drass to witness shutdown
The death toll in Kashmir rose to 44 on Saturday with the death of a youth in police firing in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Meanwhile, clashes between government forces and protesters continued despite curfew being imposed in the valley in the wake of the widespread anger over civilian killings.
The youth identified as Showkat Malik was killed after cops opened fire as a police post at Hatmulla came under a mob attack in the afternoon. Two others were also injured in the incident, a police official said.
Curfew remained in place in most parts of Valley as the authorities desperately seek an end to the cycle of violence triggered by the killing of militant commander, Burhan Wani on July 8.
Cellphone services, barring the postpaid network of government-owned BSNL, remained suspended for second consecutive day. Mobile internet services remained blocked, for the eight day on the trot, with BSNL broadband service being spared of the clampdown. Due to the communication blockade, the actual situation on ground could not be properly verified.
Police and paramilitary forces have been using live ammunition, pellet guns and tear gas to quell the protests, leaving over 40 civilians dead and over 1600 injured in the clashes.
The deployment of troops has been increased across the Valley. Roads have been blocked by using barricades and concertina wires. On Saturday, journalists were asked to show curfew passes to make it to their offices.
In south Kashmir’s Bijbehara town, power supply has been snapped with locals terming it a deliberate move to “suppress anti-government anger”.
According to reports, two persons, including a relative of a former cop-turned-surrendered militant, were shot at and injured by suspected militants in Pulwama district last night. Shabir Ahmad Pandit, cousin of the surrendered militant Tariq Ahmad Pandit, and Manzoor Ahmad were shot at by suspected militants at Kareemabad in Pulwama district last night around 10 PM. Pandit had deserted police force to join Hizbul Mujahideen last year before surrendering in May this year.
Meanwhile, people have been facing acute shortage of essential items including medicines due to continued curfew. Residents of some areas complained that they are not even allowed to move out of their homes to arrange food and medicines.
POLICE VERSION
According to police, the overall situation in the valley remained under control “though stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from Pothkhah, Dangiwacha in Sopore, Hatmulla in Kupwara and Langate in Handwara”.
“At Hatmulla, a violent mob attacked the police post Hatmulla. While dealing with the situation three people were injured. One of them later on succumbed to his injuries,” reads the police statement.
“An unruly mob set on fire a police guard room at Wullar Vintage Park in Bandipora.”
PSC POSTPONES INTERVIEWS
According to Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission the interviews for the posts of Assistant professor in the disciplines of Zoology and History scheduled from July 20 have been postponed. It is further informed that the next date of interviews will be notified separately.
Meanwhile, following the media gag by Jammu Kashmir Government, no newspaper could hit stands in Kashmir for second day consecutive day.
A government spokesperson on Saturday had conveyed to the Editors of all newspapers that in view of apprehensions of serious trouble in Kashmir in next three days strict curfew will be imposed and movement of newspaper staff and distribution of newspapers will not be possible.
Expressing solidarity with Kashmiris, people of Drass have demanded a judicial enquiry in civilian killings of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Drass will be observing a complete shutdown on Sunday to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
