Violence erupts again in Kashmir, two killed

Security forces opened fire to quell stone-pelting protesters as fresh violence on Friday erupted in the Kashmir Valley after days of relative calm, leaving two persons dead and 50 others injured.

Authorities imposed strict restrictions on the movement of people following a call by the separatists to march to Maisuma in the heart of Srinagar city in protest against the killing of youths allegedly in firing by security forces.

Shoukat Ahmad Chopan and Mohammad Ahsan Ganai were killed and seven others injured when security forces allegedly opened fire on a mob at Arampora village of Sopore, 55 kms from here in Baramulla district of north Kashmir this afternoon, police said. The people took to streets shortly after Friday prayers and were heading towards Sopore town when the security forces intercepted them and asked them to disperse.

However, the protesters turned violent and indulged in stone-pelting on a CRPF picket. The security personnel opened fire, resulting in injuries to seven persons who were rushed to hospital. Chopan and Ganai succumbed to injuries at SMHS hospital here, they said.

Out of 50 injured in clashes, 10 suffered bullet injuries and were undergoing treatment in different hospitals. The condition of two of them is stated to be "critical", officials said.

The clashes come nearly 10 days after a person was killed and another injured in police firing in self-defence on a mob which turned violent following recovery of the body of a boy who had drowned in Jhelum river in Baramulla district. The trouble started in Srinagar early today when security forces allegedly opened fire on a stone-pelting mob at old Channapora in uptown Srinagar, seriously injuring two youths.

The clashes soon spread to the adjoining localities, including Rambagh and Barzulla on Srinagar-Airport road, as people defied restrictions and indulged in violence. Police and CRPF personnel fired dozens of warning shots as teargas shelling and baton charge proved ineffective to restore order, police said, adding three more persons were injured and were undergoing treatment in various hospitals.

Meanwhile, strongly condemning the incident, Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the ruling NC-Congress coalition has become a "threat" to a generation. "Its (NC-Congress) existence is becoming questionable and a threat to a generation...It seems the government has reached a dead end in thought, action and sensitivity, which is contributing to an unprecedented worsening of situation which has led to total dislocation of life affecting every single individual living here (Kashmir valley)," PDP general secretary Mohammad Dilawar Mir said in a statement.

- Asian Tribune -