Protests in Kashmir after 15-year-Old found dead with Pellet injuries

Mangalore Today News Network

Srinagar, Sep 17, 2016:  Massive protests have erupted in Srinagar after a 15-year-old boy died in police firing in Harwan town on the peripherals of the city on Friday evening. A curfew has been imposed in Harwan and some other parts of Srinagar.

"Curfew has been imposed in Harwan area of Srinagar city this morning while it remains in force in five police station areas of downtown (interior areas) city and Batamaloo," a police official said.

15-year-old Momin Altaf was killed after security forces used pellet guns on protesting crowds in Harwan town last evening. The body of Momin Altaf was found with pellet injuries late last night, a police officer said today.

However, security forces say they had fired pellets from a distance and it should not have led to his death.

A large number of people gathered for his funeral prayers this morning. Security forces tried to stop the demonstrations by firing tear gas shells to disperse protesters who were throwing stones at them, a police spokesman said. The authorities imposed curfew, blocking entry points to the area as people from other localities tried to reach Harwan to participate in the funeral prayers. Restrictions were also imposed in other localities of Srinagar.

In south Kashmir, which has been worst hit by the protests, the Army deployed one additional brigade comprising three artillery battalions. Sources say more troops are on way to contain the unrest.

Earlier this week, two people were killed and dozens injured in firing by security forces in Bandipore and Shopian. With Altaf’s death, the number of civilian killings is now 85.

Kashmir has been crippled by unrest for over two months, ever since 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed by security forces on July 8.