Kashmir Digits

Srinagar schoolboy’s body fished out from Jhelum, laid to rest at martyrs’ graveyard | Shopian youth critical | Pellets rain on freedom rallies across Kashmir | Minor hit by pellets at Bandipora | No prayers allowed in Jamia Masjid Srinagar for 8th Friday | CM’s effigies burnt in Bijbehara, Kaimoh, Budgam | 35 incidents of stone-pelting during the day: Police

ABID BASHIR/ KHALID GUL
Day 56: 300 more wounded

The body of a schoolboy, who drowned in river Jhelum after being ‘chased by forces’ yesterday, was fished out after 15 hours on Friday, taking the death toll in ongoing uprising to 72, even as 300 more people including a minor and two girls sustained injuries in day-long clashes across Kashmir. A teargas shell hit a youth in Shopian district of South Kashmir and his condition was stated to be critical.
Danish Sultan Haroo, son of Muhammad Sultan, of New Colony at Palpora Srinagar, was allegedly chased by forces at Parimpora on Srinagar outskirts on Thursday—along with three other youth—and forced to jump into Jhelum. While three youth managed to swim to the banks, Danish couldn’t and drowned, according to witnesses.
“His body was fished out at 12.30 pm today,” the boy’s family members told Greater Kashmir.
Thousands of people took his body on their shoulders and proceeded towards martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar in a procession to lay Danish—a student of Class 6 at Oxford Public School, Palpora—to rest. With all eyes around moist, the body was laid to rest amid anti-India and pro-freedom sloganeering by people who defied strict curfew to join the boy’s funeral prayers.
Hundreds of women also marched with the funeral procession, amid wails.
When the mourners were returning back, massive clashes erupted in many old Srinagar areas including Waniyar, Safa Kadal, Eidgah, Narwara, Nawa Kadal, Noorbagh and Palpora. Forces fired dozens of tear-gas shells and pellets at the protestors, resulting in injuries to at least 40. Evening protests were held at Palpora with people shouting slogans: “Danish Kay Katilon Ko, Saza do, Saza do (Punish the killers of Danish).”

CLASHES IN SRINAGAR
People defied restrictions and curfew in many areas of Srinagar to stage protests against the ‘unabated’ civilian killings. Police had imposed strict curfew to prevent any large gatherings, but after Friday prayers people hit the streets amid pro-freedom sloganeering in many old Srinagar areas and staged protests. Forces fired dozens of tear-gas shells to disperse the protestors. Similar protests and clashes were witnessed in uptown areas. Massive clashes erupted at Padshahibagh after forces fired teargas shells on a protest march. Hundreds of youth assembled after Friday prayers and started protests. They were proceeding towards to Jawahar Nagar. Police used teargas, pepper gas and pellets to disperse the protesters as they reached close to Mehjoor Nagar bridge. Later, clashes erupted and were on till late evening. Clashes broke out in Batamaloo area, with people taking to streets against the civilian killings. At Lasjan, police used teargas shells to disperse protestors, resulting in clashes. Massive clashes erupted at Shvipora. Witnesses said after Friday prayers culminated in the area, youth took to streets against civilian killings and chanted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. The youth were marching towards the nearby Srinagar-Anantnag highway, when a contingent of paramilitary CRPF intercepted them, triggering massive clashes. The forces allegedly smashed windowpanes of some houses and also beat up inmates. Namazis, who were coming out of mosques after prayers, were also allegedly targeted by the forces. The clashes were going on when last reports came in. Clashes broke out in Kaka Sarai area of downtown Srinagar on Friday after forces fired teargas shells into a protest rally. Reports said hundreds of protesters, including women and children, took out the rally to demand release of youths arrested by police.
Reports said evening clashes rocked Rainwarai, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Bohri Kadal, Hawal, 90-feet, Lawaypora and HMT areas of Srinagar. A torch procession was taken out from Nowgam area while major protest rallies were witnessed at Hyderpora, Peerbagh, Humhama and Lasjan localities. In late night clashes at Rainawari, Batamlaoo, Zampa Kadal, Chanapora, Nowshera, Brein Nishat, Ishbar, New Theed Harwan, at least 20 youth sustained pellet and tear-gas shell injuries, reports and witnesses said.

‘ATROCITIES’
Residents of School Enclave and LD Colony at Rawalpora Friday alleged that forces went berserk in the area, smashing windowpanes of scores of residential houses and manhandling residents. “The forces were chasing some youth from some other locality. While doing so, they reached our localities and smashed windowpanes,” they said. The forces, they alleged, also damaged private cars parked on roadside.
“The windowpanes of local Masjid were also damaged,” they said. “Our localities have remained peaceful by and large during the present unrest. The unwarranted action by forces is provoking youth.”
Government forces have been accused of barging into residential houses in many areas of Srinagar to ‘harass’ people.
Reports from Habbak area of Hazratbal Srinagar said clashes intensified there after Friday prayers and six youth were injured in forces’ action. Locals alleged that forces barged into residential houses and beat up inmates mercilessly. “The forces damaged many vehicles and fired pellets and tear-gas shells at the protestors,” they said. Protests were also held at Dargah Hazratbal after Friday prayers. Youth marched while shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans following which police also attempted to detain some youth from localities.
Reports said forces broke windowpanes of Masjid-e-Kubrawi in Rawalpora, triggering resentment from locals. Residents of Zaindar Mohalla, Habba Kadal, Karfali Mohalla, Kani Kadal also alleged forces’ atrocities.

NO PRAYERS AT JAMIA MASJID
There were no prayers allowed to be held at historic Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar for the eight consecutive Friday.

SOUTH KASHMIR
At least 70 people were injured in protests across South Kashmir on Friday, even as stringent curfew was imposed in all big and small towns. 30 people sustained pellet injuries in protests and clashes that erupted in various areas of Shopian district.
Witnesses said soon after Friday prayers, people took to streets in Kanipora, Aliyalpora, Gagran, Nagbal, Imam Sahib and Zainapora. A teargas shell hit a youth Adil Ahmed of Kanipora, Shopian in his skull, witnesses said. He was referred to SKIMS, Soura.
People also defied curfew near Hospital Road of the town and clashed with police, resulting in injuries to at least 14 people.
“The injured were being treated at District hospital Shopian and local Primary Health Centres,” a Health department official said. He said two of the critically-injured, who had sustained pellet injuries in eyes, were referred to Srinagar hospitals for specialized treatment.
At least a dozen people sustained injuries in protests and clashes that erupted in various areas of Pulwama district. Youth took to streets in Tahab village shouting pro-freedom slogans, but forces lobbed teargas shells and pellets, resulting in injuries to eight people, reports said. They said clashes also erupted in Newa area where youth attacked a CRPF camp. “Two youth sustained injuries in the forces’ action. Two CRPF men were also injured after being hit by stones.”
Clashes between forces and protesters also erupted in Wuchbugh, Hall, Ruhmoo, Pakherpora and Dangerpora areas, resulting in injuries to two people. “A huge freedom procession was held after Friday prayers in Litter and Pakherpora areas,” reports said.
The protesters were shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. Similar procession was taken out from Tral area.
In Kulgam district, at least 20 people sustained injuries in protests and clashes in several areas including Laroo, Reeeshipora and Hospital Road. “Youth pelted stones on forces who lobbed shells and fired pellets,” witnesses said.
Clashes also were witnessed in Devsar area, resulting in injuries to few persons.
In Qaimoh and adjoining Khudwani, Redwani, Rampora and Gofbal areas, people took out huge pro-freedom processions after Friday prayers. “The protesters also set ablaze an effigy of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti,” witnesses said.
Intense clashes broke out between youth and forces in the evening, resulting in pellet injuries to a dozen people. The injured were shifted to SDH Qaimoh while one of the critically injured was reportedly referred to Srinagar.
Protest demonstrations were also held in Yaripora, Frisal, Kujar, Bugam, Bolsu, Bachroo, Tarigam and Nehama.
In Anantnag district, at least eight people were injured in protests and clashes that erupted in various areas. “Two people sustained pellet injuries in Bijbehara town,” reports said. Violent clashes were also reported from Sangam, Semthan, Pazalpora and Batengoo. “Evening clashes erupted in Khanabal area of Anantnag town.”
A massive pro-freedom procession was carried out after Friday prayers from Jamia Masjid Baba Mohalla locality of Bijbehara town—the native place of Mehbooba Mufti. Her effigy was also reportedly burnt there. The protesters were shouting pro-freedom, anti-India, anti-PDP and anti-NC slogans. Similar processions were held in Kokernag, Aishmuqam, Seer, Pahalgam, Dooru, Shangus and Duchnipora villages including Marhama, Kanilwan, Mahand, Srigufwara, Sallar, and Liver.
Late evening reports said forces barged into several houses in SICOP area of Bijbehara town, thrashing inmates and ransacking household goods and smashing windowpanes. In Islamabad (Anantnag) town, people offered evening (Magrib) prayers on road at Dangerpora.
“After the prayers massive pro-freedom demonstrations were held,” they said.
Meanwhile, strict curfew was imposed in all big and small towns to foil any attempts at protests after Friday prayers. “Curfew was imposed in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Awantipora, Pampore, Bijbehara, Dooru, Verinag and Kokernag. Army was deployed at several places on the Srinagar-Jammu highway,” witnesses said.
Meanwhile, reports said, clashes broke out between protestors and forces in Tral town soon after Friday prayers. A heavy contingent of forces in riot-gear was deployed in the town to enforce curfew. However soon after the forces were being withdrawn after Friday prayers, youth resorted to heavy stone-pelting, resulting in clashes. Pro-freedom rallies were also held in different areas of Tral.

NORTH KASHMIR
At least 49 youths were injured during clashes that erupted in various parts of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday. The clashes broke out after pro-freedom protests were held. In Palhallan area of the district, a massive protest rally was held this afternoon. Thousands of people from Palhallan and its adjoining villages earlier assembled in local Eidgah where they jointly offered Friday prayers. After the prayers ended, a massive pro-freedom rally was taken out from local Eidgah. The protest march passed through various parts of Palhallan, but when they tried to march towards highway, police and CRPF personnel resorted to heavy teargas shelling. As the clashes intensified, police fired pellets, causing injuries to at least 13 youths. The clashes were on till evening.
In Pattan area, soon after Friday congregational prayers, a pro-freedom rally was held. The protesting youths were not allowed to hold protest on main highway, triggering clashes which lasted for several hours.
In Singhpora area of Pattan, clashes were witnessed since morning in which at least five youths sustained injuries. In Sangrama constituency, clashes between police and protesting youths were witnessed at Nowpora, Bangdara, Choor, Chandkoot and Shrakwara. According to reports, these clashes occurred soon after a pro-freedom protest march was taken out in the area after Friday prayers. When the protesters from Nowgam, Muqam and Shrakwarawagoora, reached main highway at Potkhah, police stopped them and fired scores of teargas shells and pellets. 17 youths sustained injuries in these clashes and were shifted to various local health centres. Four youths were later referred to Baramulla hospital.
In Tangmarg area, several pro-freedom protests were held this afternoon. The biggest protest march, according to reports, was witnessed at Dhobiwan in which thousands of people participated.
In Baramulla town, clashes broke out this afternoon after a pro-freedom rally marched through Old Town. The protesters alleged that despite protesting peacefully, police deployed on Cement Bridge fired teargas shells and pellets at them without any provocation. Later, massive clashes broke out at Cement Bridge and AzadGunj Bridge. At least 14 youths sustained injuries in these clashes and five of them were rushed to Baramulla district hospital. Two of the injured youths, according to the hospital officials, had suffered eye injuries.
Earlier, joint Friday congregation was held in Qadeem Eidgah Baramulla, in which thousands of people participated. On the occasion, an organization ‘Ithad-e-Millat’ was formed with the “aim to ensure implementation of Hurriyat program in letter and spirit.” The speakers there also urged youths to hold peaceful protests and avoid stone-pelting.

BANDIPORA ON BOIL
Meanwhile, at least 27 people including a minor were injured in day-long clashes in North Kashmir’s Bandipora. Clashes broke out in Nowpora and Gulshan Chowk localities in which 12 people were injured. Doctors at SDH confirmed that one of the injured had suffered a pellet injury in his right eye and was referred to Srinagar. The minor was identified as Muhammad Yasin Kumar, 12, of Ajar village.
Reports of clashes also came in from Hajin after protesters attacked Army Goodwill School in the area. After the Friday prayers culminated in Jamia Masjid Hajin, scores of youth assembled near main Chowk and marched towards the School. “As they attacked the school, police and CRPF deployed there responded by firing pellets and tear smoke shells, triggering clashes,” witnesses said. Five persons were injured in the forces’ action.
Clashes were also witnessed in Ajar locality after congregational Friday prayers. While the youth hurled rocks, the forces responded by bursting teargas shells.
Reports of clashes also came in from Sumbal after protesters attacked a local police station with stones. Following this, forces burst several teargas shells to push the protesters back. Earlier, a pro-freedom rally was held from Jamia Masjid after congregational Friday prayers in main town Bandipora. Hundreds of protestors assembled at Gulshan chowk, raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
Meanwhile, people from Nusoo, Hajam Mohalla and Nibripora also took out a protest rally and marched towards Gulshan Chowk. Peaceful protest rallies were also carried out in Ajar, Chittibandey, Aragam, Ayathmulla, Kaloosa, Ashtengoo, Aloosa, Kehnusa, Papchan, Aloosa, and Naidkhai areas.
Witnesses said residents of Ajas area offered Friday congregational prayers in local Eidgah and later took out a protest rally that culminated peacefully. Reports said women took out a protest rally in BaharAbad village of Hajin. The rally was peaceful. A peaceful protest rally was also taken out in Saderkote area from Ahle-Hadees Masjid to main market. It later culminated peacefully.
Reports from Sopore said at least 15 people including two girls and a youth, were injured in forces’ action after post-Friday prayers. Reports said clashes broke out at Nowpora, Bomai, Batpora and Tujjar Sharief. Two girls were injured at Batpora while a youth identified as Waseem Ahmed of Bomai was hit by pellets in his right eye and referred to a Srinagar hospital. Reports said four youth were also detained at Nowpora, Sopore. Meanwhile, reports of protests poured in from many areas that include Ashpeer, Chanakhan, main Chowk, Arampora and others.
Reports from Kupwara district said clashes erupted at Langate and Kralgund areas of the district where at least 10 people sustained injuries. Clashes were also witnessed in Pandipora, Nihama, Muqam, Humpora and Handwara area of the district.

CENTRAL KASHMIR
At least 40 people were injured in Budgam district during clashes with forces. 12 people sustained pellet injuries at Adina and Badran villages and were shifted to PHC Makhama. Reports said forces allegedly barged into residential houses at Beerwah and resorted to indiscriminate pellet and tear-gas shelling, resulting in injuries to more than 15 people who were shifted to PHC Chewdara and Gondipora. Late night protests were also witnessed in the town against the alleged atrocities by forces.
Reports said a youth sustained pellet injury at Ompura while clashes remained on in the area throughout the day. They said forces barged into residential houses and broke windowpanes of many houses, triggering protests. Clashes were reported from Agarikalan, Adina, Ropura, Mirgund, Nasrullahpora, Beerwah, Hardupanzoo, Narbal and Sozeh areas of the district. People from Sanoora, Chaira, Batpora, Hanjibugh took out a pro-freedom rally and marched towards Mazhama where anti-government and pro-freedom protests took place. Effigies of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti were set ablaze at Mazhama, witnesses said. Clashes were reported from Aripanthan, Nagam, Charar-e-Sharief, Gowherpora, Zaingam, Arwah Mazhama Khansahib, and Malnaroo areas of the district in which 25 people sustained pellet and tear-gas shell injuries.
Meanwhile, locals alleged that at least 20 electric transformers were damaged by forces in various areas of the district, resulting in complete darkness in dozens of villages. After Friday prayers, peaceful protests were held at different places in Ganderbal district. At Pandach, Chhatergul, Lar, Cherwan, Kangan, Manigam, Preng, and Saloora, youth assembled outside local Masjids and staged protests. However they dispersed peacefully. Reports of stone-pelting incidents came in from Panzin, Haran and Kujar. One youth was detained at Kujar and one at Haran.
At Cherwan Kangan youth blocked Srinagar-Leh highway for hours and staged protests against arrest of local youth. Forces resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the stone-pelting youth at Panzin and Kujar.
Strict restrictions remained in force at several places of Ganderbal town including Beehama, Dudarhama and Tawheed Chowk.

POLICE STATEMENT
According to Zonal Police Headquarters, Kashmir, curfew was imposed in Srinagar, towns of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Baramulla on Friday.
In a statement issued here, a spokesman said 35 stone pelting incidents were reported from Srinagar, Sopore, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kulgam and Kupwara “till the filing of this report.”
“At these places, after Friday prayers miscreants assembled on the roads and pelted stones on police and security force deployments,” he said. The spokesman alleged that last evening, some unknown persons set ablaze a Vocational Training Centre at Watergam in the jurisdiction of Police Station Dangiwacha, Sopore, resulting in complete damage to the structure. “Sopore police has registered a case in this regard,” he said.

(With additional reporting by Altaf Baba, Zahid Maqbool, Eijaz-ul Haq Bhat, Ghulam Muhammad, M A Dar, Sheikh Nazir)