Clashes keep Kashmir on tenterhooks; 2 killed, MLA injured in stone-pelting

The two civilians were killed in retaliatory firing after the protestors pelted stones at an Army vehicle in Qazigund in south Kashmir even as curfew in the Valley continued for the 10th day, the police said, adding that seven people were also injured, including one critically. In all, a dozen people were injured in clashes in separate incidents.

PDP MLA Mohammad Khalil Band was injured, when a mob pelted stones at his vehicle in Pulwama district on Sunday night, even as normal life remained paralysed and the separatists extended the shutdown call in the Valley in protest against the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani till July 22.

J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has convened an All-Party Meeting here on July 21 to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in the Valley, an official spokesman said. Mobile telephone and mobile internet services remained suspended for the 10th day.

While most of the areas remained peaceful, clashes between protestors and security forces were reported from several places in North Kashmir, including Trehgam in Kupwara district, and Sopore and Rafiabad in Baramulla district, a police official said. The official said at least five persons were injured in action by the security forces when a protesting mob pelted stones at them in Trehgam.

“A stone-pelting mob targeted the vehicle of PDP MLA from Pulwama last night, resulting in injuries to the lawmaker (Mohammad Khalil Band),” he said.

“All 10 districts of Kashmir continue to remain under curfew today as a precautionary measure for maintaining law and order,” he said. Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the Valley for strict implementation of the prohibitory orders.

Normal life remained paralysed due to separatist sponsored strike, which has now been extended till July 22. In a joint statement, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik said the shutdown in the valley will continue till July 22. However, they have announced a relaxation of half day from 2 pm onwards on July 21.

Schools and colleges, which were scheduled to reopen on Monday after a 17-day summer vacation, remained closed as the government extended the holidays by one more week in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

1,786 pilgrims leave for Amarnath cave shrine

A fresh batch of 1,786 pilgrims on Monday left for the Amarnath shrine amid tight security, following clashes in the Valley. “A fresh batch of 1,786 pilgrims - 1,388 men, 347 women and 51 ‘sadhus’ - in over 53 vehicles left the Jammu base camp towards Kashmir this morning to perform the pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine,” a police officer said. 

Newspapers fail to hit stands for 3rd day

Local newspapers in curfew-bound Kashmir failed to hit the stands for the third consecutive day, after the government’s alleged “clampdown” on the media in the aftermath of widespread protests in the Valley. No local daily – English, Urdu or Kashmiri – was available as the newspaper owners decided not to publish them after the “clampdown” by the government on Friday night.

The J&K Police had on Friday allegedly closed down the offices of at least two printing presses, after seizing plates of newspaper and printed copies at Rangreth Industrial Estate in the outskirts of the city.

Local news agencies said they, too, had stopped their news bulletins, after the police allegedly asked them not to issue those. Attempts to seek an official version of the events did not fructify.

Meanwhile, the Press Council of India (PCI) chairman, Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad, has ordered the registration of a complaint over alleged crackdown on media in the Valley and has sought a report from the state government on the issue within a week. His direction came on a complaint by president of J&K Press Association GH Kaloo on alleged “attack on press” in the restive state.

“The chairman took into consideration the communications made by Council members expressing their concern about state of affairs in J&K and prima facie being satisfied sought reports within one week from the Chief Secretary, Secretary (Home) and DGP,” the PCI said in a statement.