Kashmir burns as five die in police fire | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Kashmir burns as five die in police fire

Hindustan Times | ByRashid Ahmad, Chahal (uri)
Aug 12, 2008 01:50 AM IST

A Hurriyat leader was also killed when police opened fire as many Kashmiris came on streets, responding to a call to march across the LoC into Pak, reports R Ahmad.

Five people, including a prominent leader of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, Shaikh Abdul Aziz — chief of the Peoples' League — were killed in police firing on Monday as thousands of Kashmiris poured into the streets, responding to a call to march across the line of control (LoC) towards Muzzafarabad in Pakistan.

HT Image
HT Image

Curfew was clamped in all towns of the Valley and hundreds of arrests were made.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The call was given by Kashmiri fruit growers to protest the alleged economic blockade of the Valley by agitators in Jammu, which was preventing them from transporting their highly perishable produce to markets across the country. The march was intended to emphasise that if their produce could not reach Indian markets, they would send it instead to Pakistan. It had the support of Kashmir’s chamber of commerce, traders’ federation, as well as all factions of the separatists and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The largest of the marching processions began in Sopore, led by Shaikh Aziz and another separatist leader Shabir Shah, swelling to nearly a lakh as it moved along the Srinagar-Muzzafarabad highway. Around 300 trucks and buses were part of the caravan.

The first police firing on the marchers occurred at Sangrama, in which one person was killed. Despite being repeatedly warned not to proceed further, the protesters continued to press ahead, until the police opened fire again at Chahal village near Uri town. Shaikh Aziz was hit and later died on way to the hospital.

“The police fired directly on us,” alleged one of the marchers. “They wanted to kill.”

Doctors at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar said that around 100 injured were brought in with bullet injuries. Similar processions were seen in Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag and Pulwama.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On