Security forces kill two protesters in J&K

Two young men were killed when police and paramilitary troops fired at people protesting against the holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, officials and witnesses said.

Two young men were killed on Saturday when police and paramilitary troops fired at people protesting against the holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, officials and witnesses said.

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The deaths took place in north Kashmir's Baramulla town, which will see voting Dec 7 in the staggered state elections that end Dec 24.

Manzoor Ahmed Kumar, a Class 10 student, died after police guards of Congress candidate Mir Mushtaq fired at a stone pelting mob in Khanpora area, 55 km from here, the police said.

Kumar died on the spot after being hit in the chest, witnesses told IANS on telephone.

Tension gripped the town as the protesters carried the body of the slain youth and marched towards the curfew-bound old town shouting anti-election and anti-India slogans.

The paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) then opened fired at the funeral procession injuring two men. One of them, Tanvir Ahmed Sheikh, succumbed to his injuries in a hospital.

After anti-election protests in Baramulla town on Friday, the authorities clamped curfew to quell demonstrations.