Shutdown call extended till Aug 5 Clashes in Kashmir, curfew lifted in many areas

STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security forces on Saturday in several parts of Kashmir as authorities lifted curfew in the Valley, except parts of Srinagar city and towns of Anatnag and Pampore.
Nearly a dozen persons were injured in the violence, a police official said.
A group of protesters started a march from Shopian town at around 5 PM and as they reached near a police camp, some miscreants started pelting stones on the police installation, the official said.
Three persons including a woman were injured in retaliatory action by the police. All the injured were referred to hospitals here for treatment.
There were reports of clashes at several places in the Valley during the day but the situation remained by and large under control, the official said.
Nine persons were injured in the clashes, the official said, adding the condition of all the injured was stated to be stable.
48 people have died while more than 5,600 have been injured in the clashes between protesters and security forces since July 8 when Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter.
A police official said curfew was lifted from most parts of the Valley today but restrictions on assembly of four or more persons continued in entire Kashmir.
“Curfew is in place only in five police station areas of Srinagar city — Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal and Maharajgunj, Anantnag town and Pampore town,” he said.
Authorities had on Friday imposed curfew and restrictions across Kashmir to thwart a call by separatist camp for march to historic Jamia Masjid. More than 100 persons including 46 security personnel were injured in the clashes reported from at least 70 places across the Valley.
Schools, colleges and business establishments remained closed due to the strike while public transport remained off roads. Attendance in government offices was very thin, the official said.
In a related incident, a motorcyclist died due to wire laid on the road for blocking traffic allegedly by  protesters in Budgam district last night.
Abdul Ahad Ganai and his son were on motorcycle at Hardapunzu in Beerwah area of Budgam district when it hit the wire. The father-son duo were injured in the accident but Ganai later succumbed to injuries, a police spokesman said.
He said the barricades were erected by miscreants.
Meanwhile, the separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 5 “to protest against the civilian deaths” which took place during clashes following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter earlier this month.
Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, head of moderate faction Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik issued a joint agitation schedule for the first five days of the next month.
The separatist leaders asked the people, particularly youths, to express their sentiments by writing pro-freedom slogans on roads, walls and shop shutters.
“People should also motivate employees not to attend their offices except essential services,” they said.
The camp called for a march to Hazratbal shrine on August 5.
“The separatist leadership will march towards Hazratbal to offer congregational Friday prayers and a public rally will be held there to pay homage to our martyrs,” they added.
In another statement, the separatists asked people to “be wary” of certain TV news channels who they alleged “are aggressive in their reportage of Kashmir”.
The separatist camp said they are receiving reports of some miscreants extorting money from public and private drivers on the roads and threatening them of harm if they do not oblige.
“Those who are being harassed should report to the people of that locality. No money should be given to them even if they say it is being collected for the affected people. All donations for such purposes are to be collected by mohalla Masjid committees and Baitul Maals (Islamic treasuries),” they said.