Fresh Protests in Kashmir; One Killed

One person died in an alleged firing by security personnel at a stone-pelting mob, which was protesting against the death of a man after falling into a drain during a demonstration in Batamaloo area of the city, said media reports.

According to police, the protest started late last night as a group of men began pelting stones at a security contingent, reports said.

Security personnel chased the protestors and one of them, indentified as Muzaffar Ahmad, fell into the drain and his body was later fished out.

Ahmad’s death evoked fresh protests in the morning with a crow pelting stones at CRPF and local police present in the area, said reports.

A police spokesman said that the security personnel opened fire after lobbing tear gas shells when they were surrounded by protesters from all sides, leading to the death of Fayaz Ahmad Wani, reports said.

He said that Wani hailed from Gangbug area of the city, said reports.

The situation in the area was tense and additional police forces were rushed to the area, reports said.

In view of the situation, authorities announced closure of schools and educational institutions in the city today. Markets also remained closed.

Kashmir had witnessed violent protests following the killing of youths allegedly in firing by security forces.

An official spokesman said that ‘on the request of parents, all the educational institutions, including schools and colleges, will remain closed today to avoid any untoward incident’, said reports.

The step was taken as the separatists had called upon students to stage protest demonstrations in their educational institutions today.

Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed said that due to the prevailing situation in the valley, students have suffered a lot, reports said.

(Based on internet reports)