Clashes, stone-pelting in Kashmir mark Burhan Wani’s first death anniversary

Hizbul militant Wani’s death in an encounter last year plunged the Kashmir valley into crisis. At least 90 people were killed and 1,000 wounded during the ensuing unrest.

Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani’s first death anniversary passed off in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday without any major protest, barring a few incidents of stone-pelting and clashes in which five women were reportedly injured.

A group of protesters in Srinagar amid tear gas fired by police during clashes in Srinagar on Saturday as the authorities imposed curfew on the first death anniversary of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

The government imposed curfew and restrictions across the Valley, and police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in high numbers. Internet services were cut off to maintain law and order, officials said.

Normal life was affected due to a strike called by separatists, while curfew was imposed in three towns, including Tral, as a precautionary measure, police said.

Wani’s death in an encounter last year plunged the Kashmir valley into crisis. At least 90 people were killed and 1,000 wounded during the ensuing unrest.

Paramilitary personnel stand guard in Srinagar as the authorities imposed curfew on Saturday on the first death anniversary of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

Residents of Wani’s home village in Tral said clashes erupted between youth and police, while five women were injured when police fired tear gas shells and pellets on protesters in Shopian.

Paramilitary personnel stand in Srinagar on Saturday as the authorities imposed curfew on the first death anniversary of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

Authorities were on alert as separatists and militants called for week-long protests from July 7 to 13 with the next shutdown call on July 13 to commemorate what they called ‘State Martyr’s Day’.

Thousands of police personnel and security forces dotted the roads and villages of the valley to prevent people from assembling on Wani’s death anniversary. Security forces also blocked roads and laid concertina wires to prevent movement of traffic and people.

Despite the restrictions, people visited the house of the Hizbul militant at Tral.

“The restrictions were very severe. Police objected to the presence of youths at Wani’s home, who in turn were infuriated leading to stone-pelting. Police resorted to tear gas shelling,” said a local requesting anonymity.