An 11-day-old child died in the ongoing clashes between the police and protesters in Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday. The police are blaming stone pelters for the death and have registered a case of murder.
The infant, Irfan Ahmad, was travelling in a mini-bus with his family, when a group of people stopped the vehicle near Stadium Colony, 55 km from here, the police said.
At 12.30 pm, protesters dragged the passengers out of the vehicle and beat them up. They were demanding the release of those youths arrested during demonstrations against alleged human rights violations in the state, police said.
Irfan’s father Nisar Ahmad Magray and mother Kulsuma had boarded the bus in Rafiabad. They were taking the baby to a hospital as he was suffering from blood infection.
“When Kulsuma was being dragged out, she pressed her baby close to herself and he started bleeding,” said Shakeel Beigh, SSP Baramulla. He was rushed to the district hospital where he was declared dead. “Since the infant was already ailing, he could not be saved.”
A four-year-old boy also sustained injuries during the attack. Irfan is the fifth and the youngest victim in Kashmir since stone throwing incidents began in January. In the past two weeks, more than 100 people have been arrested across the state during a crackdown on street protests.
{{/usCountry}}A four-year-old boy also sustained injuries during the attack. Irfan is the fifth and the youngest victim in Kashmir since stone throwing incidents began in January. In the past two weeks, more than 100 people have been arrested across the state during a crackdown on street protests.
{{/usCountry}}Another eight people have been taken into custody under the Public Safety Act.