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NEWS Updates - 24
Feb 2009 |
* Sopur seethes in anger
* Firing on protesters in Varmul,
16 Injured In Clashes In Varmul,
* Protests
spread across Valley
* MLA Sopur
refutes Army claim |
Sopur seethes in anger : Curfew Lifted, Protestors Seek
Punishment To Killer Troopers Sopur, Feb 23:
While the authorities lifted curfew in Sopur and its
adjoining areas, violent protests rocked the town for
the third consecutive day Monday against the killing of
two youth in unprovoked firing by the army on Saturday.
After the authorities eased curfew in the morning,
hundreds of youth defying heavy security arrangements
took to streets in Muslim Peer, Arampora, Kralteng and
downtown areas of Sopur town. Raising pro-freedom and
anti-Army slogans, the agitating youth demanded arrest
of the accused troopers.
“Qatilon Ko Saza Do, Qatilon Ko Girftar Karo (Punish the
killers, arrest the killers),” the protesters yelled.
Police and paramilitary troopers swung into action and
fired dozens of tear-smoke shells and bullets in air
forcing the protesters to disperse. However they
regrouped and pelted stones on the troops. Five persons
including a policeman were injured in the clashes.
Protests were also held in Bomai, the native village of
one of the victims, Muhammad Amin Tantray.
Meanwhile, thousands of people from different parts of
the Valley offered condolences to the bereaved families.
Complete shutdown was observed in the town.
The deputy commissioner Varmul, Baseer Ahmed Khan, told
Greater Kashmir that curfew has been lifted from the
district.
Heavy security arrangements have been made in many areas
including Muslim Peer, the native locality of one of the
slain youth Javed Ahmed. His father, Muhammad Ismail
Dar, demanded punishment to the accused troops.
Meanwhile anger is brewing among the youth against the
troops. “CRPF has unleashed reign of terror in the town.
They are not allowing people to move in groups,” a youth
said.
The deputy inspector general of police, north Kashmir,
Abdul Ghani Mir said that situation was under control.
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Firing on protesters in Varmul : 16
Injured In Clashes In Varmul,
Feb 23: At least 16 persons were injured
in the fresh clashes at Varmul on Monday
where hundreds of youth protested the
killing of two youth by Army in Sopur.
Among the injured, three persons
received bullet injuries after police
resorted to firing to crush the protests
in old town here. They have been
identified as Showkat Ahmad Dar, Nissar
Ahmad Dar and Manzoor Ahmad Dar, all
residents of Azadganj.
The protesters took to streets early in
the morning and held protest
demonstrations against the army at
several places here. They raised
pro-freedom and anti-India slogans and
demanded action against the troopers
guilty of killing the youth.
“This is a clear case of cold-blooded
murder. The army has killed innocents
without any provocation,” the youths
said. “This is a worst kind of human
rights violations.”
While the protesters tried to march
ahead, policemen deployed in strength
intervened and baton charged the
protesters. Police fired dozens of tear
smoke canisters and resorted to aerial
firing after protesters showed stiff
resistance by pelting stones.
Violent clashes between the cops and
protesters were witnessed at Cement
Bridge also where several youth
including many policemen were injured in
the clashes. Due to the rampant clashes
at Azadgunj, police handed over the area
to the CRPF troopers.
The protests forced the people to stay
indoors even as all shops and businesses
remained closed for the second
consecutive day today. Roads wore
deserted look as traffic remained off
the roads. |
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Protests spread across Valley :
Srinagar, Feb 23: Protests against the
killing of two youth in Sopur spread to
Srinagar on Monday with youth taking to
streets in downtown. Protests were also
held against the paramilitary CRPF after
troopers allegedly thrashed a driver at
Nawab Bazaar locality.
Shouting pro-freedom and anti India
slogans, scores of youth came out on
roads in several old city areas
including Nawa-Kadal, Jamalata, Kawdara,
Rajouri Kadal and Bohri Kadal and
protested against the killings. Clashes
broke out when police tried to quell the
protests by baton charging the youth.
While protesters pelted stones on
policemen and troopers, the latter
retaliated by firing teargas shells. At
least five persons were injured in the
clashes which continued till evening.
Earlier in the day, protests were also
held in Nawab Bazaar where police and
the troopers of 160 battalion of
paramilitary CRPF allegedly thrashed a
driver. Witnesses and protesters said
that troopers thrashed Muhammad Rafiq of
Dolipora, Kupwara, driving a mini bus,
JK01F-6656. “The troopers thrashed the
driver and the bus conductor without any
provocation,” they said.
Shouting anti-CRPF slogans, the locals
demanded action against the erring
troopers and insisted that the CRPF
bunker be removed from the area.
Due to the day-long protests and
clashes, most of the shops and business
establishments remained closed in old
city areas. The public and the private
transport also remained off.
Meanwhile the CRPF officials said they
would investigate the case and suitable
action would be taken against the
troopers found guilty. “We are
investigating the case. A detailed
report has been sought from the
battalion deployed in the area. Anyone
found guilty would be punished according
to law,” Srinagar-based Public Relations
Officer of CRPF, Prabhakar Tripthai told
Greater Kashmir. |
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MLA Sopur refutes Army claim:
Sopur, Feb 23: Disputing the army
version that the two youth were killed
in cross-firing, the Member of
Legislative Assembly from Sopur,
Muhammad Ashraf Ganai, said the duo was
killed in unprovoked firing by the
troopers.
“Locals told me that there was no
cross-firing or militants’ presence in
the area. The reality is that the
troopers fired on the youth and killed
them without any provocation,” he told
Greater Kashmir.
Demanding judicial probe into the
killings, Ganai said that erring
troopers should be taken to task.
“They have vitiated peace in my
constituency which was calm after
elections,” he said and demanded
immediate compensation to the families
of deceased youth under SRO-43. |
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NEWS /
Articles are reproductions of Local News
Papers (Greater Kashmir & Others)
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