Normal life remained paralysed in Kashmir for the 24th consecutive day on Monday as curfew continued in some parts while restrictions were in effect in rest of the Valley to maintain law and order. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
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Earlier on Wednesday, Srinagar witnessed renewed protest after the state government lifted curfew leaving one dead and several injured.
When asked if the United Nations has any plans to ban the use of pellet guns that have been used by security forces to quell protests in Kashmir, the deputy spokesman said he has nothing to add except reiterating UN’s stand.
The forum in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, said that people of Kashmir had been facing Indian oppression for the past over two decades.
Protesters hurled stones at Akhtar’s cavalcade as they had blocked the road with tree trunks and large stones to enforce the separatist shutdown.
Protests broke out across Kashmir valley on 9 July, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces.
One person was killed and another injured when the personal security guard of a senior government official opened fire to ward off a mob which was trying to set ablaze the vehicle of the official, police said. Police stopped them and took them away, a police officer said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters.
Distancing himself from the posters, Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “Peaceful protests and marches are spreading”. Areas of southern Kashmir where most of the deadly street protests have been centered have remained under curfew. More than 300 people suffered injuries because of pellet guns, including 171 with eye injuries, further fuelling the anger against the forces and the government.
Since 1989, Kashmiri resistance groups in IHK have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.
About 2,000 civilians and 1,500 police and soldiers have been injured in the clashes. Pakistan says it provides only political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris.
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The two countries have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965 and 1971 – since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir.
