Protests in Jak against Ramban Killings, Curfew in Place

SRINAGAR/JAMMU, July 19, 2013: Protests over the killing of four people in firing by BSF personnel broke out across Jammu and Kashmir today during which two persons were injured in the Valley in clashes with security forces.

As tensions ran high in the state, Authorities clamped curfew in all major towns of Kashmir and halted the Amarnath yatra from Jammu with no fresh batch of pilgrims being allowed to proceed to the Valley. Curfew was in force in Ramban district where the killings took place yesterday. 

Three FIRs were also registered against both BSF and the state police in connection with yesterday's violence on complaints from the public. 

"We have registered three FIRs in the Police Station Gool in connection with firing", IGP(Jammu Zone)Rajesh Kumar, said. The IG of BSF(Jammu Frontier) Rajeev Krishna said they they would also file a FIR with Police over the violence by the mob that had gathered outside the BSF camp at Ramban. 

Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed since midnight as a precautionary measure, an official said. 

Official sources said that two youth were injured when security forces opened fire while chasing stone-pelting protestors in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. 

A large group of people took to streets after Friday prayers at Kurhama village of Ganderbal, 21 km from Srinagar, to protest against the killings in BSF firing. 

Police resorted to pellet gun firing and teargas shelling to disperse the protestors who turned violent and resorted to stone-pelting. 

As the situation worsened, the security forces resorted to aerial firing to restore law and order, the sources said, adding two persons were injured. The two were admitted to Soura Medical institute in Srinagar. 

Clashes between protestors and security forces were reported from several other parts of the Valley including interior Srinagar. 

In the Jammu region, Police resorted to canecharge on protestors, who turned violent and attacked some vehicles and some shops in Doda district. 

However, no one was injured in the canecharge, Police said, adding that the situation is under control. 

Protests rocked Bhaderwah, Banihal, Thathri, Kishtwar, Gool, Doda, Sangaldan areas of Jammu region amid raising of slogans and burning of tyres, police said. There were reports that five people suffered minor injuries during the clashes. 

There was a shutdown in various towns in Jammu region. Curfew was imposed in all areas of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora districts and Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, Bijbehara and Sopore towns, official sources said. Hurriyat has called for a three-day shutdown in the Valley.

Source: The Economic Times, DT. July 19, 2013.