Kashmir situation grim as 3 more shot dead
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Srinagar, India, June 30, IRNA -- As demonstrations demanding Indian troop withdrawal from Kashmir spread to more areas three more people were killed when government forces opened fire to break one such protest in south Kashmir city of Anantnag.
Several people with bullet injuries have been rushed to various hospitals and at least two of them are stated to be in critical condition.
With latest deaths the death toll in police firing has gone up to nine in past three days and 11 this month.
The latest victims of Tuesday killings have been identified as 15 year old Ishfaq Ahmed Khanday, Imtiyaz Ahmad Itoo (17) and Sajjad Islam (19).
Police said these youth were part of a mob hurling stones at federal police personnel in Anchidoora, 55 kms from here.
However, locals alleged that the police personnel barged into houses and shops while chasing the stone-pelting protestors and shot the victims from close range inside a house and a bakery shop.
Meanwhile the killings triggered more anger and intensified street protests which are raging across Kashmir despite curfew restrictions for past four days.
Angry mobs attacked government property and even attempted to demolish bunkers of Indian forces stationed in the city, reports reaching here said.
Elsewhere situation remained grim across Kashmir. Reports of clashes between demonstrators chanting slogans like “Blood for Blood” and “Freedom for Kashmir” and paramilitary forces were coming in from almost all parts of the Valley.
The state Government meanwhile has requested the Indian army to remain on standby as situation was gradually getting out of control, highly placed government sources said.
Meanwhile authorities intensified a crackdown on banned mobile services in north Kashmir and blocked Short Messaging Services (SMS) facility in entire Kashmir valley.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 1204324
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