Kashmir hit by violence; 9 dead, 126 hurt; Amarnath Yatra off

Srinagar: Kashmir was today rocked by widespread mob violence and clashes which left 9 people dead and 126, including 96 security forces personnel, injured even as authorities imposed curfew-like curbs and suspended mobile internet services to contain the fallout of gunning down of terrorist commander Burhan Wani.

Three policemen were also missing after a large mob attacked a police station, set it ablaze and used its weaponary to shoot and injure three cops, police said.

Amid the protests, militants attacked a police station in Pulwama, which was thwarted by the security forces.

In view of the volatile situation, Amarnath Yatra was also suspended, with police saying it will be resumed “as soon as it is possible to ensure security of yatris”.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed for calm while expressing “profound” grief and agony over the deaths during the protests and asked security forces to avoid use of disproportionate force for crowd control.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed “deep anguish” over the “loss of precious lives in the incidents of violence” in Kashmir and appealed for calm.

As Burhan, the 21-year-old poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, was laid to rest in his native place Tral, violent mobs attacked installations of police and paramilitary forces at various places in the Valley and set ablaze several buildings including three police installations, as a result of which three cops were missing.

Burhan’s funeral was attended by thousands of people.

There was no deployment of security forces in Tral and adjoining areas to avoid a confrontation with the people coming to participate in the funeral.

“We have had a very difficult day today,” said ADGP (CID) of J&K Police S M Sahai while describing the situation “bad in certain segments”, “not critical” in areas like north Kashmir and under control in Srinagar.

Nine people were killed in the clashes between violent protestors and security forces at various places in the valley that erupted a day after Burhan’s killing.

Eight were killed in “retaliatory” action by security forces, Sahai said, adding one person died due to drowning.

“It is very unfortunate that young lives were lost in clashes,” Sahai told reporters and appealed to the parents to restrain their children from participating in such protests so that young lives are not lost.

The militants are trying to “superimpose their attacks” on public protests, he said, while informing that there was also a militant attack on District Police Lines in Pulwama which the security forces thwarted.

To a volley of questions, including why Burhan was gunned down and not caught alive, Sahai said, “We certainly don’t want to kill youngsters of our own society.”

He said the Hizb commander and two others got killed when security forces retaliated after being fired upon by the trio from a house in which they were hiding. Two security personnel were injured in that firing, he added.

Mehbooba, while appealing for calm, said “violence only brings miseries to the people and tragedies for the victim families”.

She asked people, especially the youth “not to fall prey to the machinations of the vested interests, who play politics over the dead bodies of Kashmiris.”

In a statement, the Chief Minister said, “I express profound grief over the tragic death of the youths and extend my heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members in their hour of immense grief.”

Mehbooba said disproportionate use of force for crowd control results in loss of precious lives and grave injuries which should be avoided at all costs.

She asked the police and the paramilitary forces to use Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) while dealing with protesters to avoid loss of precious human lives or injuries.

She also prayed for early recovery of the injured including civilians and the police personnel and asked health authorities to provide best possible treatment to them.

The protestors, who went on rampage in several areas, attacked police camps at Sangam, Larnoo, Seer, Gopalpora, Minority camp Mattan, Kokernag, Dooru and Janglat Mandi, police said.

“The funerals became an issue today and in the background of the funerals, there were several attempts at various locations particularly on security forces establishments, police stations, other government buildings houses of politicians, army camps. These were attacked at many isolated locations also which led to a very critical situation in which there have been eight casualties today,” Sahai said.

There was also a militant attack in DPL (District Police Lines) Pulwama which was warded off.

The police officer said a mob attacked police station Damhal Hanjipora and it was burnt down, adding the weapons that were snatched from the police station were used to fire upon the police personnel.

“We did try to show restraint. They took 20 of our policemen hostage, three of them got bullet injuries while three of them are still missing,” he said.

Sahai said 96 security forces personnel and around 30 civilians were injured in the clashes during the day.

The police official said the incidents of arson and stone-pelting took place on Achabal police station, in Kokernag, where a house of the MLA was burnt down, and Kund, Qazigund, on a minority camp in Vessu.

“Last night, we have had a very extensive attack on the Haal minority camp. The CRPF came under attack there and some of the abandoned houses were also set on fire,” he said.

Violent incidents of arson and stone-pelting were also reported from Awantipora, Pulwama, Bomai, Sopore, Baramulla, Palhallan, Delina, Gantamullah, Sheeri, Kreeri, Lalpora, Bandipora, Narbal, Lasjan, Barzulla, Nowgam, Tengpora and Batamaloo. At many places, the mobs forcibly tried to enter the security force establishments.

In the BSF camp in Bandipora, a picket was set on fire, Sahai said, adding some of the security installations in CRPF camps were also set on fire.

“Looking at all the multiple attacks that took place at various locations, the consequence of which is unfortunate.

We are very sad that these lives were lost, but there is a particular requirement that the camps could not have been over run and the arms and ammunition taken away the way it happened in Damhal Hanjipora,” he said.

Apart from that, there is report of about 96 security personnel and police personnel who have been injured in the attempt to tackle the situation, he said.

Exercise maximum restraint: J-K Cong to security forces


Srinagar:Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) today condemned the killings of protestors allegedly in firing by security forces in the Valley and asked it to exercise “maximum restraint” while dealing with the law-and-order situation.

Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives in the protests which erupted today in south Kashmir, JKPCC chief G A Mir termed the killings as very unfortunate, a spokesman of the JKPCC said here.

Mir offered condolences to the bereaved families.

He asked the forces to exercise maximum restraint and avoid civilian causalities as these are going to “harm” the peaceful atmosphere in the Valley to a great extent.

Mir also urged the state government to take immediate measures for controlling the situation and ensure that causalities are evaded, the spokesman said.

He said Mir appealed the people, especially youth, to maintain calm and not to take law in their hands.


Man who posted untrue info on FB will be booked: J-K Minister

Srinagar:Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Naeem Akhtar today said a man, who had posted “baseless” and “untrue” information in Facebook about alleged killing of two persons from the minority community during protests in the Valley, will be booked.

He said this while reacting to a Facebook post by Ashok Koul, a Kashmir Pandit.

“According to sources, two Pandits killed in Kashmir at some village. Many Hindu houses burnt. Internet services suspended,” Koul wrote in his Facebook post.

Akhtar, while reacting to the post, said it was “totally untrue and baseless.”

“He will be booked under law,” he said.

The post was highlighted by human rights activist Khurram Parvez.

“This is how lies are manufactured. Instead of talking about 6 protestors who were killed today by armed forces, Ashok Koul is resorting to lies. Two years ago he also claimed that a Kashmiri Pandit girl was raped in Handwara. Why is police not filing a case against him?” Parvez wrote while sharing Koul’s post.

Realising his mistake, Koul wrote another post in which he apologised.

“All dear friends, I beg pardon from entire people of Jammu and Kashmir that I posted many news without verification which proved fake,” he said.

“In future, I assure you all that no such news will be posted. Again I beg pardon,” Koul added.


Home Minister Rajnath appeals for peace in Kashmir

New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to remain calm and maintain peace after violent protests, following killing of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter, led to death of at least nine persons.

“I appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to remain calm and maintain peace,” he said in a statement.

Singh said the central government is working with the Jammu and Kashmir government to bring normalcy in Kashmir Valley.

“Deeply anguished at the loss of precious lives in the incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he said.

Nine people were killed and 126, including 96 security forces personnel, were injured as mob violence and clashes rocked Kashmir over the gunning down of Wani even as authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions and suspended mobile internet services to contain the volatile situation.

Twenty-one-year-old Wani was killed, along with two of his accomplices, in an encounter in Kokernag area yesterday.

“If there is no peace and stability, then people who face problems would not BE able to find solution for those,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by the Karnataka government at the secretariat in Bengaluru.

Mehbooba urges for calm


Srinagar:Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today expressed “profound” grief and agony over the death of youths during protests in the Valley and asked security forces to avoid use of disproportionate force for crowd control besides urging people for calm.

“I express profound grief over the tragic death of the youths and extend my heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members in their hour of immense grief,” she said in a statement issued here.

Mehbooba said disproportionate use of force for crowd control results in loss of precious lives and grave injuries which should be avoided at all costs.

She asked the police and the paramilitary forces to use Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) while dealing with protesters to avoid loss of precious human lives or injuries.

Urging for calm, Mehbooba sought people’s cooperation in restoration of normalcy in the Valley.

Violence only brings miseries to the people and tragedies for the victim families, she said and appealed people, especially the youth not to fall prey to the machinations of the vested interests, who play politics over the dead bodies of Kashmiris.

She also prayed for early recovery of the injured including civilians and the police personnel and asked health authorities to provide best possible treatment to them.

 

CBSE postpones UGC-NET exam in Srinagar

New Delhi:CBSE, which is holding UGC-NET exam tomorrow, has postponed the test in Srinagar where curfew-like restrictions were imposed following protests over the killing of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter.

“All the candidates appearing in UGC-NET scheduled to be held on July 10, 2016 at Srinagar city are informed that due to unavoidable circumstances, this examination is being postponed,” CBSE said in a statement today.

The next date of examination for all these candidates will be announced in due course of time, it said.

There are 16 examination centres in Srinagar, in which 10,255 candidates are registered for the examination.

Eight persons were killed and 50 injured in clashes in Kashmir between security forces and violent mobs who set ablaze five buildings, including three police installations, and some vehicles to protest the killing of Wani in an encounter.

Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in many parts of Kashmir where mobile internet services were suspended across the Valley and mobile telephony services restricted in south Kashmir, the epicentre of the trouble.

Violence erupts in Kashmir, BJP office attacked

Srinagar:Violence broke out at several places in Kashmir today as mobs attacked police posts, security personnel and BJP office in Kulgam to protest the death of Hizbul Mujhaideen poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter.

11 persons including three policemen have been injured during the clashes. Groups of youths pelted stones at police posts and police stations at Bandipora, Qazigund and Larnoo in Anantnag district, a police official said.

Violent protests were also held in Mir Bazaar and Damhaal Hanjipora in Kulgam district and Warpora in Sopore township of Baramulla district.

The police picket guarding minority community in Vessu area of south Kashmir was also attacked, the official said.

He said a mob also attacked BJP office in Nilo-Bugam area of Kulgam district and damaged the building.

Stone pelting incidents were also reported from Sheeri, Kreeri, Delina, Pattan and Palhalan areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said, adding Barsoo and Shariefabad in Awantipora area of south Kashmir also saw violent protests.

He said “so far 11 persons including three policemen have received injuries during the clashes which were going on when reports last came in”.

Minor protests were also reported from several parts of the city, he added.

Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar city, and Amarnath yatra suspended as authorities had apprehended protests in the Valley, where tension prevailed following the killing of Wani yesterday.

Mobile internet across Kashmir has been suspended while mobile telephony services have also been restricted in south Kashmir.

Top separatists leaders who had called for a strike were put under house arrest as a precautionary measure.

Omar says ”disaffected” have got ”new icon” in Wani

Srinagar:Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that Kashmir’s “disaffected” have got a “new icon” in Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and expressed apprehension that his death could lead to more youths joining militancy than his exploits on social media.

“Mark my words – Burhan’s ability to recruit into militancy from the grave will far outstrip anything he could have done on social media,” Omar wrote on microblogging site Twitter.

“After many years, I hear slogans for ‘Azadi’ resonate from the mosque in my uptown Srinagar locality. Kashmir’s disaffected got a new icon yesterday,” the National Conference leader said.

People assembled in Tral — the hometown of Wani — in Pulwama district for attending the funeral prayers.

Yesterday, Omar had said while Burhan was not the first one to take to arms, he would not be last as Kashmir issue is a political problem which requires a political solution.

“For all Burhan’s social media activity I don’t recall any militancy incident attributed to him while I was in office.

“Not sure after that,” he added.

Wani, the 21-year-old poster boy of militancy, was shot dead yesterday by security forces along with two of his accomplices in Kokernag area, 83 km from here.

Referring to funeral prayers for Wani in Tral, Omar said the saving grace for the government was that people assembled there do not seem to have intention of disturbing peace.

“Saving grace for the Govt is that in most places the people assembling seem to have no intention to disturb peace.

“Otherwise if crowd this size were to turn violent & pelt stones it would be unmanageable. Hope cooler heads prevail,” he said.

PTI

Gujarat MLA, other Gujaratis stuck in curfew in Kashmir


Srinagar/Ahmedabad:

Ruling BJP MLA from Rajula constituency of Amreli district in Gujarat, Hirabhai Solanki, who had gone for Amarnath pilgrimage along with over a hundred people from his area, today said that he and many of his companions were ‘trapped’ at different points in Srinagar and Baltal owing to the tense situation in the Kashmir valley and suspension of the Amarnath Yatra after the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and his two associates in an encounter with security forces yesterday, the sixth day of the holy yatra.

Mr. Solanki said over phone from a Hotel in Srinagar, where he and many of his companions from Rajula were ‘trapped’ without proper food and other facilities, that he had started from Gujarat for Amarnath pilgrimage on July 2 and after having darshan he was returning when curfew like situation has trapped him.

‘I and some of my companions are in a hotel where no food and other things are available. Many of my other companions were trapped in Baltal,’ he said claiming that while coming back to Srinagar a mob even pelted stone on their bus, however, no body was hurt.

BJP Taluka president of Rajula, Mr. Chetan Shiyal, who was also accompanying Mr. Solanki said that as there was curfew outside, they are not being allowed to move out of the hotel. ‘It is really a difficult situation,’ he said.

However, efforts were on to contact, the authorities of the ruling PDP-BJP dispensation there for their shifting to a safer place.

Notably the Amarnath yatra, which is to conclude on August 17, has been suspended from Jammu base camp and No fresh pilgrims is being allowed to proceed towards the Valley in the wake of the violence. However, the yatra will continue from Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir but the pilgrims are advised to stay put at these camps till further advisory on their movement is issued.

Meanwhile, two different groups of more than hundred pilgrims from Gujarat of which around 45 were from Junagadh alone, who had arrived in Jammu were completely safe. They will however have to wait for the revival of the yatra to move ahead.

DeshGujarat

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