Civilian killed, several injured in Pulwama firing
In curfew-bound Valley, two more die in clashes with Police, CRPF

Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Aug 5: With one person succumbing to injuries at a hospital and another getting killed in Police firing on a separatist congregation in Pulwama, death toll of the civilians killed in different incidents of firing in Kashmir valley since June 11th has reached close to 50. For the first time in the last two months, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited a hospital to meet the injured and inquire about their condition even as entire Valley reeled under curfew on umpteenth day of turbulence.

Informed sources told Early Times that a crowd of hundreds of residents of Pulwama and adjoining villages was proceeding to participate in the 4th day ceremony of a youth, killed in Police firing earlier this week, when a fierce clash took place between the demonstrators and Police at the district headquarters. Facing heavy offensive from the crowds, Police and CRPF opened fire after trying to break the gathering with teargas. Sources said a 28-year-old Tata Sumo driver, Shabir Ahmed Malik S/o Abdul Aziz Malik R/o Lonepora, Pulwama, got killed and over a dozen others sustained injuries.

While local new agency, KNS, reported that it was a 20,000-strong procession, which put a “silent non-violent demonstration”, an official spokesman said that 1500 people participated in the rally. He said in a statement: “In Pulwama a mob of more than 1500 people tried to break curfew near Degree College Pulwama. The police tried to persuade them not to break the curfew restrictions. However, the mob did not heed and indulged in heavy stone pelting. The police and security forces used lathicharge and tear smoke to disperse the mob but they continued heavy stone pelting on police and CRPF. A number of police and CRPF men got injured forcing to use fire. One person namely Shabir Ahmad Malik son of Abdul Aziz Malik resident of Lone Pora, Pulwama was injured and was taken to SMHS hospital Srinagar were doctors declared him brought dead”.

Independent reports, however, said that around seven persons sustained gunshot injuries in the daytime shootout. They were rushed to different hospitals in Pulwama and Srinagar.

Sources said that during last night, one Ghulam Nabi Badyari S/o Mohammad Shaban Badyari R/o Habbakadal, succumbed to injuries at SMHS Hospital. He had sustained critical injuries when CRPF, guarding a temple at Ganpathyar, Habbakadal, opened fire on an unruly mob last evening. He was rushed to SMHS Hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

With two more additions, death toll of the civilians killed in different incidents of violence and clashes with Police and CRPF since June 11th, has reached 49.

Even after 49 deaths in less than two months of demonstrations, five persons with critical injuries were still battling for life at ICU of SKIMS. Doctors described them all as critical. They were identified as Fida Nabi (17) of HMT Zainakote, Mohammad Akbar Wani (28) of Baramulla, Mehran Khan (18) of Chandanwari Uri, Ghulam Mohammad (20) of Ganderbal (who has been severely hit by a stone in his head0 and Muneera Dhobi (20) of Pulwama.

Sources said that residents clashed with Police and CRPF at Kralkhud, Habbadal, when dead body pf Ghulam Nabi Nadyari was being carried for funeral to Dalgate. It was later buried at a graveyard in Dalgate area amid tight curfew restrictions.

Sources said that people violated curfew and clashed with Police and CRPF at several places in Sopore, Baramulla, Srinagar, Pulwama and Kulgam districts. However, the size of delinquent crowds was not very thick. Sources said that around 50 people were believed to have sustained injuries in today’s clashes. Curfew remained strictly in force all over the Valley, though hundreds of people gathered at several places to either put up peaceful demonstrations or clash with Police and security forces.

Meanwhile, for the first time since the turbulence began on June 11th, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called on several patients—and their attendants---under treatment as SKIMS. He extended his condolences and sympathies to the affected families and asked Director SKIMS, Dr Abdul Hamid Zargar, to provide best possible treatment to the patients who have got injuries in different clashes with Police and CRPF in the last two months.

Sources said that when on his return, Chief Minister was interacting with a group of women, some people gathered on the lawns and they shouted pro-Azadi slogans. They reportedly heckled and booed the Chief Minister. Chief Minister withdrew peacefully from the spot.

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