Kashmir again on boil: 4 more civilian killed in fresh firing by forces

SRINAGAR; Aug 13: Killing of four more persons in police and CRPF firing in North Kashmir today, on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramzan, sent shock waves across the Valley triggering a fresh round of street demonstrations, clashes with the police and imposition of curfew.

The first killing took place at Trehgam in Kupwara district soon after people were coming out of mosques after offering collective morning (fajar) prayers. They were challenged by the CRPF and in the ensuing argument the CRPF opened close range fire killing Mudasir Ahmad who succumbed while being rushed to hospital in critical condition. One person was wounded.

Two persons were gunned down as CRPF opened fire on protestors at Bommai near Sopore. They were identified as Arif Mir and Sameer Lone
One person, Ali Mohammad Bhat, was shot dead at Pattan.

Several localities in the capital city were rocked by running clashes between slogan shouting demonstrators and CRPF and police. Earlier, security forces were withdrawn to allow a procession led by Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to Jamia Masjid where congregational Friday prayers were held after seven weeks.The Hurriyat (M) chairman was set free almost after two months of house arrest.Later again a march was led by Mirwaiz from Jamia Masjid to Rajouri Kadal.

Post-prayers clashes engulfed Khanyar and adjoining areas.

All business establishments, schools, banks and offices were closed today on a call given by the Hurriyat (G).

KUPWARA:

Reports said the trouble erupted after CRPF troopers objected and asked the people why they offered prayers with out their permission. The CRPF explanation angered the residents, who staged a protest demonstration.

CRPF troopers opened random fire on the people killing Mudasir and injuring seven others, including a woman identified as Janti Begum, 50.

Reports said that the CRPF troopers did not allow the residents to remove the injured to the hospital for one hour. Even the local SHO of police station Trehgam was humiliated by the CRPF troopers.

As the news of Mudasir's killing spread, people in hundreds took to streets and staged protest demonstrations. The protesters pelted stones on police and CRPF. The men in uniform burst tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.

"My nephew had returned from morning prayers, when CRPF men killed him in the compound of his house. They did not even allow us to remove the body for nearly 30 minutes," Abdul Hameed, the uncle of Mudasir has been quoted as saying by the local news agency PBI. "The officials have told us that only four people can join the funeral of the youth. Down with the government. They don't even allow us to offer final rites of the martyr," he added.

Hamid added that the teenager was earning bread and butter for the family by working as a laborer at a bakery shop in Sopore town. Mudasir's father, Hameed said, had cross to other side of the Line of Control in 1989 and never returned. "Mudasir was an obedient son. He was taking care of his mother and brother. Allah knows what will happen to his family now," he added.

More than 25 people were injuries in clashes between protestors and men in uniform that continued till for whole day. Reports of massive arrests by police are also pouring from Trehgam and other areas of Kupwara disatrict.

BARAMULLA:

Reports said after Friday prayers, the people of Boomai and adjoining villages took out a peaceful procession from Lagraypora village. They were shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. They were intercepted by a heavy contingent of CRPF.

The CRPF troopers first burst tear smoke shells and then opened fire on the protesters killing Arif Ahmad and Sameer Ahmad and injuring more than a dozen.
After the incident the area was put under curfew, as the whole Zaingaire belt took to streets in protest against the killing. Some of the protestors later attacked the CRPF camp. However, they were dispersed by the police headed by superintendent of police Sopore. Police has registered a murder case against the CRPF for the killing of two youth.

CRPF men and police opened fire on group of people in Pattan area of Baramulla district who had staged a protest demonstration and were demanding the arrest of men in uniform responsible for killing of Furk Bukhari of Keeri.

The police and CRPF burst tear smoke shells and opened fire on protestors. . Seven persons were injured in firing. Three of them critical and were rushed to SKIMS. Where, 70-year-old Ali Mohammad Khanday succumbed to injuries.

After the death news of Khanday, the people in Baramulla took to streets and staged peaceful protest demonstrations. In Baramulla town, two stone-pelting youths jumped into the Jhelum river and swam to safety, after they were chased by police and CRPF at the Cement Bridge.
Two youth were killed in police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) firing in north Kashmir's Boomai area of Baramulla district. The slain youth were identified as Sameer Lone, 21 and Arif Mir 17, both hailing from Logripora, Sopore.
Mudasir Ahmed, 17 , was killed and at least seven people including a woman was injured when CPRF troops opened indiscriminate fire upon people who were returning home after offering pre- dawn (Fajr) prayers in Meerpora of Trehgam in the Kupwara district of North Kashmir today morning.