E-Paper
Civilian killed on Guru's death anniversary
One civilian was killed on Monday evening when security forces allegedly opened fire on protesters demanding mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.
One civilian was killed on Monday evening when security forces allegedly opened fire on protesters demanding mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.
Violence broke out after protesters, mainly youth, took to the streets amid shutdown and curfew-like restrictions in Baramulla's Palhalan area, 35 km north of Srinagar. They were demanding the remains of Guru, who was hanged and buried inside the Tihar Jail in New Delhi on February 9, 2013. These protesters were observing second death anniversary of Guru.
"On Monday evening, a law and order situation arose at Palhalan village, Pattan. Two persons sustained injuries in a firing incident. One injured Farooq Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Bhagat Mohallah, Palahan, succumbed to injuries on way to hospital," a spokesman of the zonal police headquarters in Srinagar told the Hindustan Times.
He said another injured youth, also sustaining bullet injuries, was shifted to a hospital. He has been identified as Riyaz Ahmad Bhat. "Police have taken cognisance into this highly regrettable and unfortunate incident," said the police spokesman.
An FIR has been registered into the matter. "The incident is being investigated and all concerned are being questioned to ascertain the facts," said the spokesman.
Eyewitnesses from Pattan told HT that violence broke out when the security forces started picking up youth from the area. The locals resisted the move, resulting in major protests over Guru's second death anniversary.
Unofficial reports suggest around five civilians and two police personnel were injured in violent protests, which witnessed fierce stone-pelting.
