Ahmed Ali Fayyaz
SRINAGAR: Even as there was no major incident of violence or clash in the turbulent Kashmir valley on the 12th consecutive day of shutdown and curfew on Wednesday, death toll reached 45 with yet another injured civilian’s fatality.
Official sources said that 55-year-old Ghulam Mohammad Mir r/o Khmriyal Kupwara, who had last week sustained injuries in a clash at his village, breathed his last at SHMS Hospital. One person had got killed and six others injured when troops had opened fire on a crowd at Khumriyal. With this fatal casualty, death toll in the 12-day-long turmoil in the Valley has reached 45. With the addition of the five persons killed in Police and security forces’ firing in Kupwara district after an alleged incident of molestation in April, 50 persons have died in the three-and-a-half coalition regime in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports said that no major incident of violence was reported across the valley even as minor clashes took place between the protesters and security forces at several places and in the evening, Pakistani and Jihadist anthems were played on PAS of many mosques in Kashmir. The valley observed ‘Black Day’ on Pakistan’s call in solidarity with militant Burhan Wani and families of over 40 civilians killed since Wani’s death in an encounter on July 8.
In the evening, parallel to Pakistani anthem at mosques, people took out processions and shouted pro-Pakistan, pro-Azadi and anti-Indian slogans. Reports said that over a hundred small processions of 200-250 protesters were taken out in the evening. Blackout of electricity was also enforced in several areas on the call of Hurriyat Conference.
Senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik have, in a joint statement, announced extension of shutdown to July 25. They have announced relaxation of a few hours from 1400 hours onwards on Thursday.
Authorities on Wednesday said that Government had ordered immediate opening of all educational institutions in the relatively lesser disturbed districts of Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipore and Ganderbal from Thursday.
Mobile phone services and Internet through GPRS remained closed down in entire Valley where the only access to the information highway is BSNL’s landline Broadband. Most of such services have been shut down after the turbulence over Wani’s death in an encounter on July 8 sprang out across the Valley.
Army chief in Valley
The Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag reviewed the security situation in Kashmir during his visit to the Srinagar based Chinar Corps.
Army Chief was briefed by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua on the situation along the LC and the hinterland including the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all security and other government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley.
Army Chief, accompanied by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders, also visited the Kupwara Division and Awantipora based Victor Force where he was briefed on the operational preparedness as also the initiatives taken by Army in collaboration with civil administration to alleviate hardships being faced by the populace due to the prevailing unrest. The Army Chief also met with the DG of J&K and was reassured about the excellent synergy between Army, Police, CAPFs and intelligence agencies.
In his interaction with officers and troops, the Chief commended their operational preparedness and commitment to the cause of national security. He exhorted everyone to ensure strict vigil along the Line of Control. Appreciating the synergy being shown amongst all security agencies that has resulted in successful counter terrorist operations, he also complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation. He expressed his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians and security forces during the protests while making an earnest appeal to the Awaam to maintain peace and help the security forces serve them better.
Army Chief also impressed upon everyone to continue their positive engagement with the Awaam and lend them all possible assistance in close coordination with the other stakeholders.