Large-scale protests against New Delhi’s rule are going on in the Muslim majority areas of the restive region since July 8, following the killing of a top militant commander.
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Violent clashes also erupted in Aishmuqam after security forces removed a marquee installed for a proposed protest sit-in on a road to the Pahalgam tourist resort. Shops and business establishments were closed.
At least 69 civilians have been killed and thousands injured, mostly by government forces firing bullets and shotguns at rock-throwing protesters.
Clashes were also reported in central Budgam district and southern Anantnag district, officials said.
Protesters also clashed with troops who fired shotgun pellets and tear gas in other areas of the northern Himalayan region including in the main city of Srinagar, another senior police officer and witnesses said.
The violence has left 68 people, including two policemen, dead and several thousand injured.
The all-party delegation will interact with a cross section of people as part of efforts to restore peace in the unrest-hit Valley. Locals told me that they threw stones at my house.
Twenty people sustained injuries after security forces tried to foil a protest rally in Wathoo village of Shopian district. A large number of masses took to streets in nearly every part of the territory, who chanted anti-India and pro-independence slogans. Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, following improvement in situation, curfew was lifted from all parts of Kashmir valley this morning except Pulwama town and the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Police station M R Gunj and Police Station Nowhatta.
The security forces were deployed in sensitive areas of the Valley to prevent any protests as Hurriyat Conference gave call for lockdown of all government offices except essential services. Besides Hurriyet leaders, a large number of Kashmiri people and civil society members participated in the camp.
Syed Ali Geelani criticised Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the held Kashmir, saying she has turned the celestial valley into a hell. “Except for these incidents, overall situation remained peaceful and under control”.
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Greater movement of vehicular traffic and people was observed in major areas of the Valley, the official said.
