Fresh clashes in Pulwama after firing on civilians

Seven civilians were injured on Friday when allegedly security forces fired at them at two places immediately after an encounter in a Pulwama village, HT reports.

South Kashmir’s Pulwama district continued to be on a boil for the fifth day on Tuesday following firing on civilians by security forces last week.

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In the morning, curfew was partially lifted in the town, 32 km south of Srinagar.

But locals soon resorted to protests and hurling stones.

“Some miscreant pelted stones near Muran Chowk, forcing traders to down their shutters,” said a Srinagar-based police spokesman.

Seven civilians were injured on Friday when allegedly security forces fired at them at two places immediately after an encounter in a Pulwama village.

Tuesday’s protests broke out after several shopkeepers found their shops vandalised, for which they accused the security forces.

A youth, Zubair Pandit, sustained head injuries during the protests. Locals alleged Pandit was hit by a tear gas shell. But police refuted the allegation.

The police said it exercised maximum restraint. “Two policemen were injured in the incident,” said the spokesman.

Appealing the PM and defence minister to take note, the ruling National Conference issued a statement. “Your (the army’s) one wrong move can bring the state back to a boil. In the garb of the AFSPA, you cannot simply go on doing what you want.”

Defence minister AK Antony has, meanwhile, sought a report from the army over the alleged firing on Friday.