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Srinagar: Sporadic incidents of clashes between stone-pelting mobs and security forces were reported from a number of places in Kashmir on Thursday even as curfew-like restrictions continued for the second day and mobile internet services were suspended in some areas in view of tension.
A policeman and two civilians were injured in violence and clashes in different parts of the Valley.
As tension prevailed in Kashmir which saw death of four civilians since Tuesday in clashes with security forces, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti held a meeting with top police and intelligence officials of the State here to review the situation and directed that no harm should come to civilians while dealing with law and order issues.
Mehbooba, who arrived here from Delhi after a three-day visit, will be camping in the summer capital of the State to monitor the law and order situation “as long as necessary”, official sources said.
In fresh clashes today, a Constable Bilal Ahmad was injured after being hit in the face by a stone hurled by protestors in Magam area of Handwara town, which is about 70 kms from here, a police official said.
The cop was shifted to a hospital here for treatment.
A civilian was also injured earlier at the same place when he was hit by a teargas shell in the left leg, the official said, adding he was admitted to a local hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.
Handwara in Kupwara District is the epicentre of the ongoing unrest that was triggered following allegations of molestation of a college girl on Tuesday.
A cab driver was injured in a stone-pelting incident in Kulgam, the official said.
Reports of stone-pelting were also received from various areas of Srinagar city but no casualties were reported in these incidents, the official added.
The incidents occurred even though curfew-like restrictions continued for the second day in Kupwara town, Kralgund, Handwara, Magam and Langate areas in north Kashmir.
Four civilians, including a woman, died on Tuesday and yesterday in clashes between protesters and security forces in Kupwara District where Handwara falls.
Restrictions also continued in six police station areas of Srinagar city, the official said.
Mobile internet services were also suspended in north Kashmir areas to curb the menace of rumour mongering, the official said.
Separatist groups had also given a call for strike since yesterday due to which markets remained closed and public transport was off the roads.
Soon after arrival here, Mehbooba met top police and intelligence officials of the State including Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar at her official residence.
“The Chief Minister directed the police officials to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure that civilians are not harmed while dealing with law and order situation,” official sources said.
The State Government also sought the help of civil society in restoration of normalcy in Kupwara District where Rural Development Minister Abdul Haq Khan is camping to monitor the situation.
BJP on different wave length, seeks probe
Jammu: Accusing anti-national elements of falsely implicating the army and creating trouble in the Kashmir Valley, BJP on Thursday demanded a thorough probe into the Handwara incident in which four people were killed in action by security forces during violent protests.
“It is a matter of great concern that some anti-national elements are desperately trying to create trouble in the Valley before the onset of the tourist season”, MLA and state BJP chief Sat Sharma said.
He said by falsely implicating the army personnel in an alleged rape case these elements are trying to demoralise the army men.
He sought a speedy and thorough probe into the matter and immediate arrest of the culprits.
The BJP leader strongly condemned the loss of four lives in the clashes and expressed grief and sympathies towards the bereaved families and said no amount of compensation is adequate for loss of human lives.
Accusing former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of adding fuel to the fire through his tweets, Sharma asked him to act in unison to bring relief to the people of the State so that they can reap the benefits of development.
BJP Spokesman Khaild Jehangir also called the Handwara incident a “well thought-out conspiracy”.
Taking a dig at the separatists, he said, “levelling allegations against our own daughters for petty politics is unfortunate. The honour and dignity of our daughters is supreme and BJP will resist all efforts of vested interests to use the honour and dignity of our daughters for their nefarious designs.” PTI
