Srinagar, Aug 25: A teenager allegedly beaten by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police in Soura area of city outskirts on Monday succumbed to injuries at SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Wednesday.
The death of the teen sparked off fierce clashes between protesters and forces, leaving as many as 20 people injured six among them with bullets.
17-year-old Mohammad Umer, son of Abdul Qayoom Bhat of Anchar was critically injured when troops and police allegedly thrashed him during a pro-freedom demonstration in Soura area in city outskirts.
He was rushed to SKIMS for serious injuries. However, after battling with life for three consecutive days, Umer succumbed to injuries this afternoon. With Umer’s death, the toll in the
“The teenager was brought to hospital on August 23 with multiple injuries due to beating. He had suffered liver injury as well.
He was instantly operated upon and put on life support system. Around 1445 hours today, he succumbed to injuries,” Medical Superintend SKIMS, Dr Syed Amin Tabish told KMW.
Pertinently, Umer is the fifth victim of the alleged deadly thrashing by CRPF troops and police in last two months.
The first victim, Rafiq Ahmad Bangroo, 27, was beaten to pulp by CRPF and police outside his Noorbagh residence on June 12. A week later, he succumbed to injuries at SKIMS.
After Bangroo, three more people, including seven-year-old boy Sameer Ahmad Rah son of Fayaz Ahmad Rah of Batmaloo were beaten to death by the forces.
The news of Umer’s death brought thousands of men women and children on roads in Soura, Bachpora, Anchar, Namath (90 feet road) and upper Soura. Chanting “We want freedom,”, “Islam Zindabad,” “O Oppressors! O tyrants-leave our Kashmir,” “Umer your blood will bring revolution,” “Go India Go Back,” and thunderous anti-India slogans, the people were protesting the ‘cold blooded murder’ of the teenager.
When the protesters tried to march through the streets of the area, CRPF and police resorted to cane charge and burst tear smoke shells to control the protesters.
In retaliation, protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces sparking off fierce clashes. Angry protesters also razed to ground a picket of the forces.
After tear smoke shells and warning shots proved ineffective, forces opened random fire upon the young protesters resulting in injuries to at least five people. All the injured identified as Mehraj-ud-din Teli, Irfan Ahmad Dar, Rafiq Ahmad Najar, Adil Ahmad and Ishtiyaq Ahmad were rushed to SKIMS. Ishtiyaq has suffered bullet injuries in head and lips.
“We have received seven people, five among them with firearm injuries.
The doctors are attending the patients,” Tabish said.
Despite direct firing, protests and clashes continued in the area till evening. At least ten people were injured in the clashes.
Amid sobs, wails and heart wrenching scenes, Umer was laid to rest.
Thousands of people participated in his Nimaz-e-Jinaza (Funeral prayers)
However, police said that minimum force was used to chase away a section of mourners who indulged in arson and stone pelting besides setting ablaze on fire a police vehicle and a private vehicle.
The slain youth, police spokesperson said was arrested along with two other youths Aamir Bashir Sheikh, son of Bashir Ahmad of Umarheir Buchpora and Irshad Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Qadir Bhat of Dar Mohalla Soura by police on Friday last week and booked under section 107/151 Cr PC.
“All the youth were bailed out on Saturday last week and handed over to their parents/guardians,” the spokesman added.
Earlier, a youth was injured when CRPF men without any provocation opened fire upon a group of people who were returning to their homes after offering Zuhr (afternoon) prayers at Masjid-e-Sadiq, Frestbal.
The injured youth identified as Javed Ahmad, 32, son of Abdul Ahad Bhat was rushed to SKIMS for treatment.
He had received pallets in Neck and shoulder. His condition is said to be stable.
The injured youth owns a footwear shop in the area.
“There were no protests in the area. CRPF men without any reason or rhyme, fired upon the Nimazis who were returning home,” Bashir Ahmad Bhat, who accompanied Javed to SMHS hospital told KMW
The incident triggered protests in the area.
Hundreds of people yelling pro-freedom and anti-India slogans blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway to register their anger against the unprovoked CRPF action.
However, a police spokesman said that that a huge mob pelted stones on the vehicles plying on the Highway resulting in injuries to a driver of the social welfare department.
“Police used mild lathi charge and chased away the stone pelting mob.
However, one injured namely Javed Ahmad Bhat of Frestabal Pampore has been admitted in SMHS Hospital with shoulder and neck injuries. Police has taken cognizance and is looking into the matter,” the spokesman added.
Reports of protests and clashes were also received from other districts of South Kashmir.
Reports said that scores of people mainly youth took to streets at Tak Mohalla and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations this afternoon.
Chanting pro-Islam, pro-Azadi and anti-India slogans, the protesters tried to march on the streets of the town.
When the protesters reached near the DC Office, CRPF and police deployed in advance lobbed tear smoke shells and resorted to cane charge to disperse the protesters.
In retaliation, the protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces triggering off violent clashes. At least two people, reports said were injured in the clashes.
Meanwhile, normal life today was again affected in wake of the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) coupled with curfew and restrictions by the state authorities.
All shops, offices, educational institutions, banks, private and government offices remained closed throughout the day while the transport was off the roads.
In Srinagar, curfew was clamped in areas falling under the jurisdiction of Police Stations/Police posts of Batamloo, Bemina, Qamarwari, Kralkhud, Nowhatta, Khanyar, M.R. Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma, Shaheedgunj and Abi-guzar area of Kothi Bagh
Unprecedented security arrangements were made in this capital city to prevent any attempt of people to come on roads and stage pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations.
Thousands of heavily armed troopers and policemen manned the lanes, by lanes and streets in the old city and civil lines to restrict the mov
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