Kashmir InFocus Magazine (July Issue)

Updated (Saturday July 24, 2010 11:00 IST)

Valley Made Hostage
Whole valley has been put under curfew to curb the ongoing protests. All most every part of Kashmir Province has been kept under house arrest, which includes (Srinagar, Baramula, Sopore, Bandipora, Anantnag etc) More details awaited.

March To Khanqah today: Aasiya - ‘ Make Protest Programme Successful ’
Srinagar, July 22: Chairperson of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Syeda Aasiya Andrabi appealed people to make the Hurriyat (G) protest programme including march towards Khanqah here and demonstrations at the respective district headquarters successful on Friday.
In a statement, Aasiya said people should adhere to the programme even if there is inclement weather.
“After the Friday prayers, people of Srinagar should march towards Khanqah. In other district demonstrations should be held at respective district headquarters. People should put on white dress and raise slogans,” she said.
Aasiya maintained that there would be no talks with New Delhi unless it accepts Kashmir as a disputed territory.
“Our leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has made it clear during the meeting with Bhim Singh (President of Panthers Party) that there won’t be no talks till India accepts Kashmir as disputed,” she said.
“The protests, sit-ins, stone pelting are manifestations of our long standing demand and resolve to attain right to self-determination,” she said.
Aasiya said those parents who were concerned over the academic career of their wards, should “have a look at the hundreds of youth and teenagers languishing in jails and police stations. There only crime is that they only raised voice against the suppression,” she added.

Hold Sit-In Protests Today: Sumjhi To People
Srinagar, July 21: The acting chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G), Ghulam Nabi Sumjhi, has urged people to hold peaceful sit-in protests on July 22, and offer Friday prayers at district headquarters on July 23. “Kashmir issue is on the top of the agenda of United Nations and the standing UN resolutions on this issue amply prove that it is yet to be resolved. We want an immediate end to the political unease in the subcontinent and a strong friendly relationship between India and Pakistan but this is only possible when serious and sincere steps are taken to resolve Kashmir issue,” Sumjhi said in a statement on Wednesday. Sumjhi termed the bilateral talks between India and Pakistan as futile and unacceptable. “Kashmiris are a basic party to the dispute and cannot be ignored,” he added. He said that Kashmiris had burnt their all boats and would continue their struggle till the objective of their right of self-determination was realized. He appealed to all the justice-loving nations of world and the members nations of UNO to make it clear to India to stop human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and allow its people to decide their future before seeking permanent membership in the Security Council. Flaying ruling National Conference for, what he said, using “coercive methods and vile tactics” to muzzle the popular voice of Kashmiris, Sumjhi said it (NC) had always been in the fore front to ‘enslave’ Kashmiris. Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir has termed the yesterday’s statement of the Union home secretary G K Pillia as ‘frustration’ of the government of India. “Everyone including all the pro-India political parties and leaders are crying hoarse that the ongoing struggle for resolution of Kashmir issue is a political problem and should be settled politically and that it has nothing to do with the development, employment or any economic package. The ongoing struggle will continue until India announces Kashmir as a dispute, revoke all draconian laws including AFSPA and PSA, release all detainees, withdraw its troops and takes effective for resolving Kashmir issue in the light of standing UN Resolutions,” said a spokesman of the Tehreek in a statement today.

Valley Reels Under Curfew, Restrictions 10 Hurt In Varmul Clashes; Shortage Of Essentials In Sopore,
Srinagar, July 21: Authorities on Wednesday imposed severe restrictions in several parts of the Valley including downtown Srinagar and imposed curfew in Varmul and Sopur towns to prevent the people from staging sit-ins and protest demonstrations on the call of Hurriyat Conference (G). At least 10 persons were wounded in fresh clashes in Varmul town and elsewhere life continued to remain paralyzed by a complete shutdown. Anticipating sit-ins and the protests on the call of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani as part of “Quit Jammu and Kashmir campaign”, curfew-like restrictions were imposed in downtown area of the city by deploying hundreds of additional cops and paramilitary CRPF troopers this morning. The pedestrian and vehicular movement was blocked by laying spools of concertina wires and barricades in the old city areas falling under the jurisdiction of Nowhatta, Rainwari, Mahrajgunj, Khanyar and Safakadal police stations. In civil lines area of city, police was also deployed in Batamaloo, Tengpora, Qamarwari and other areas. Curfew was also officially clamped in Varmul town this morning and announcements were made through loudspeakers about curfew imposition in both old town and civil lines areas. The town is on boil for past five days after 13-year old Faizan and 25-year old Fayaz Ahmed were drowned and killed respectively by police. The entry and exit points of the town, besides three bridges including Cement Bridge, Azad Gunj Bridge and RTC Bridge were sealed to thwart protests. However, hundreds of youth from old town went in a procession to Binner Rafiabad to express condolences with the family of Fayaz Ahmed Khanday who was killed in police firing two days ago. Violent protests broke out in the town late evening after hundreds of youth clashed with policemen deployed on bridges. At least 10 persons including six cops were wounded in fierce clashes. The clashes were continuing when this report was filed. Curfew continued in Sopur town today and locals complained about shortage of essential commodities in several areas. Amid restrictions in south Kashmir, protests also broke out in the old town area of Islamabad. Early in the morning, youth in groups assembled at Mattan Chowk, Kadipora and Iqbalabad and started pelting stones on the police and paramilitary CRPF men, but the protesters were chased away. The locals accused paramilitary CRPF troopers of beating up pedestrians without any provocation. “After the clashes the CRPF men went berserk and thrashed the civilians who came in their way,” residents said. After the protests broke out, strict restrictions were imposed in the old town areas and curfew-like situation prevailed in Malakhnag, Cheeni Chowk and Kadipora. After the restrictions were eased, the residents of Kadipora took to streets demanding the removal of the SOG camp in the area. “The district administration had assured us of removing the camp by Monday, but till this time they have not fulfilled their promise,” residents of Kadipora said, and vowed to continue the protests till the camp was removed. Late evening, SOG men resorted to aerial firing in the town after youth pelted stones on their vehicle at Laizbal. The activists of both factions of Hurriyat Conference took out a protest march in Pampore, a local news agency reported. Restrictions were also imposed in other towns of South Kashmir including Bijbehara, Kulgam, Qaimoh, Pulwama, Kakpora, Shopian, Tral, Awantipora and Pampore. Complete shutdown was also observed in Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal in north Kashmir as the shops, business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads.

Aasiya Flays Restrictions Make Today's Sit-In Successful’ - Urges ‘Elite Class’ To Join ‘Quit JK Movement’
July 21: Dukhtaran-e-Milliat chief, Asiya Andrabi on Wednesday urged the “elite and intellectual class” to join the “Quit JK Movement.”
“The day the elites join other people of valley on roads, it will be the last day of slavery for Kashmiri people. Leave aside CRPF, even IGP Kashmir will not dare to shoot on these people (elites),” she said. Asiya also urged university teachers to raise their voice against “political corruption” in the valley.
Referring to a statement issued by Kashmiri University Teachers Association (KUTA) expressing concern over the allegations of corruption against cabinet ministers, she said, “If they can pitch their voice against the corruption in the system. Why don’t they talk about political corruption that has lead to the death of a 9- year-old boy? Wasn’t this incident unfortunate? Don’t they think that the miserable situation in Kashmir is worth issuing a statement?” “I want to ask university professors don’t they think the struggle for freedom from India is our collective duty? Isn’t the participation of elite class of the society and the intellectuals necessary in the freedom movement,” she said. Stating that poor Kashmiri people have been sacrificing their lives since 1931, Asiya said, “I appeal people from every section of society to participate in the Hurriyat (G)’s sit-in programme to show the world that we all are associated with the Quit Kashmir Movement.”
 

Curfew, Protests Continue, Islamabad Youth Critical After Thrashing By SOG Men
Srinagar, July 20: A day after police fired upon protesters in Varmul killing a youth, authorities imposed curfew in the town and nearby Sopur while an undeclared curfew remained imposed in the summer capital on Tuesday. The rest of the Valley remained shut on the call of Hurriyat Conference (G).
The volatile areas of the downtown, falling under the jurisdiction of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Maharajgunj, Rainawari, Safakadal, Soura, Lalbazar, Nigeen police stations were sealed by police and CRPF deployed in large numbers, and prohibitory orders remained imposed in these areas. The forces didn’t allow any civilian movement and restricted people to their homes.
The entry points to the downtown were sealed by iron barricades and concertina wires at several places. In uptown areas, strict restrictions were also imposed in areas falling under Batmaloo, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Shaheedgunj police stations.
Despite restrictions, people staged protests at several places including Dalgate, Hyderpora and Nowgam areas of the city.
In Varmul, locals, angered over the recent killings, staged protests in old town, cement bridge, Khanpora, Transport yard bridge, Kanli Bagh, Tawheed Gunj localities for the third consecutive day today.
Protesters shouted anti-India, anti-police and pro-freedom slogans. Police and CRPF tried to chase them away, However, they offered resistance and pelted stones on forces who responded by lobbing tear gas canisters and firing rounds of live ammunition in air.
The ding-dong clashes continued till late evening.
Police restricted the protesters to the old part of the town by blocking three bridges leading to the civil lines areas of the town. Hundreds of people from Biner marched to old town Varmul during the day. The protesters, chanting slogans, “Stop state terrorism,” and “we want freedom,” gathered at the old town and later visited the family of the Faizan Rafiq, who was chased to death by police on Friday evening. Faizan drowned into Jhelum waters and his body was retrieved Monday evening.
In neighbouring Sopur town, authorities, fearing protests over the Varmul killings, imposed curfew in the town and its peripheries.
Incidents of minor protests were reported from a few localities in the town.
The south Kashmir Islamabad town remained tense today. An undeclared curfew was imposed in the town by police and CRPF men. The restrictions were strict in Malakhnag and Kadipora localities which witnessed massive protests on Monday by locals demanding removal of SOG camp of police.
SOG men had brutally thrashed two youth in the area on Monday night when they barged into residential areas. They ransacked houses and beat inmates. One of the youth, Arif Rehman Hakeem son of Abdul Rehman Hakeem of Kadipora was today shifted to SKIMS, Srinagar, in a critical condition. Witnesses said he sustained severe head injuries as he was beaten by gun butts.
Locals said that SOG men also beat up women and molested two of them.
However, Khanabal-Pahalgam road remained open during the day today. Later in the evening, protests erupted at Sarnal and Kadipora localities against the highhandedness of SOG personnel.
Amid curfew-like restrictions, reports of shutdown also poured in from other towns and district headquarters of the Valley including Pampore, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam, Handwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kupwara.

Police Intimidating Facebook Users In Kashmir: Rights Group (AFP)
SRINAGAR — A leading rights group in Indian Kashmir said Tuesday Facebook users were being intimidated by police for uploading images of ongoing deadly protests in the Himalayan region.
Over the past six weeks the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley has been in the grip of regular anti-India demonstrations. Clashes with security forces have so far left 17 young protesters and bystanders dead.
Young Kashmiris have been uploading photos and videos on social networking site Facebook and video-sharing sites like YouTube.
The region's leading rights group, Coalition of Civil Society, said some Facebook users had been asked to report to police stations as a consequence.
"It is intimidation, nothing else," said Khurram Parvez, co-ordinator of Coalition of Civil Society. "The protests by Kashmiri youth even on virtual spaces like Facebook are not being tolerated, not to speak of the fate meted out to the protesters on the streets of Kashmir," Parvez told AFP.
"The democratic space for dissent in Kashmir is choked," he said.
The crackdown is allegedly centred in southern Anantnag district where police are accused of shooting dead three young men during protests last month. Grainy and shaky images of the blood-splattered bodies were uploaded.
The local police denied summoning anyone. "We have not called any Facebook user to any police station," local police officer Showket Ahmed said. One 27-year old Kashmiri man told AFP he had deactivated his account under pressure from local police. He did not give his name out of fear of reprisals.
"They (police) told us we can't book you for using Facebook or YouTube but we can easily implicate you in other serious crimes if you don't mend your ways," he said. India is wary of new technology and its ability to foment protests, as was most recently shown during demonstrations in Iran last June. Footage of a young woman, Neda Agha-Soltan, being shot dead was put on YouTube which quickly turned her into a powerful and poignant symbol of the opposition movement. Last month India banned phone users from sending SMS text messages in troubled Kashmir amid fears they were being used to mobilise protests and public opinion. Kashmir is jointly administered by India and Pakistan.

’90s Ghost Returns: Nocturnal Raids Haunt Youth
Srinagar, July 20: Evading arrest by police, hundreds of youth have been fleeing their homes since the recent protests broke out following the killings of about 17 youth in the valley. The youth, especially students, have been putting up with one relative or another which is disturbing their normal life.
This follows the valley-wide police crackdown wherein hundreds of youth were arrested on charges of participating in protests and stone throwing, several of whom have been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act.
Residents of the old city Srinagar are the worst victims of this nightmare where night raids have become the order of the day. A posse of policemen raided the house of a teenager Owais (name changed) of Chattabal last night.
“A group of 20-25 policemen broke into our house around 1.00 am. They were searching for my nephew, a Grade 9 student. The policemen broke our doors and went straight to his room. In order to evade arrest, he jumped from the window and fled from the scene. It was like revival of the early 1990s when night searches were being carried out by police,” said his uncle, Ghulam Rasool.
Several teenagers told Greater Kashmir that they had been out of their homes for past two months. “First it is the state which forced us to protest because our brothers were killed by police and CRPF. Now they raid our houses, police is intimidating our parents. We feel threatened to be at our home because we will be booked under PSA. We have become like wanderers moving from one relative to another,” said a student of Business Administration, wishing anonymity for obvious reasons.
Javed Ahmad (name changed) has been out of home for past month as police has been searching for him at his house as well as relatives’ places. He says, “Recently my cousin, aged 25 years, was arrested by police in old city. He has been booked under PSA, so my parents felt insecure after his arrest and I am moving from one locality to another.”
Political analyst Gul Muhammad Wani says that appropriate measures should be taken to contain this repression otherwise dangerous drift can take place. “It needs politico-economic measures because youth are frustrated,” Gul told Greater Kashmir.

Curfew Re-Imposed in Many Parts of Valley.
Tuesday July 20, 2010 11:00 IST
Kashmir Valley (Srinagar / Baramulla / Sopore / etc ) have been put under un-declared curfew, due to resent killings which has added 3 more lives and taking the toll to 17 in past one month.  Restrictions were imposed in this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital Tuesday to thwart separatist protests here, police said.
Hardline Hurriyat group headed by Syed Ali Geelani called for the protests in the Kashmir Valley to demand release of detained separatist leaders. "Restrictions have been imposed in Srinagar city to protect life and property of civilians here," a senior police officer said. Educational institutions, public transport, banks, post offices, markets and other business establishments remained closed in the city.
Meanwhile, tension continued in north Kashmir's Baramulla town where the body of a teenager, who had drowned in Jhelum River Saturday, was fished out by a team of marine commandos Monday. The teenager had jumped into the river after being chased by security forces during clashes there.
A mob carrying the body of the teenager had indulged in violence in Baramulla Monday evening. The mob tried to torch government property there after which the security forces opened fire that resulted in the death of another youth identified as Fayaz Ahmad Khanday, 23. "Restrictions have been imposed in Baramulla and Sopore towns to prevent violence," the police officer said.
Apart, mobile network in Baramulla / Sopore has been suspended from past fortnight, which has added to the miseries of the general public and has put the life on a stand still.

Another Death In Police Firing In Kashmir
Violence made a return to the Kashmir Valley today, a man was killed in firing by police during protests after the body of teenager who drowned when chased by police was fished out from a river. Marine commandos fished out the body of a 13-year old Faizan Ahmad Buhroo, a Class 7 student, from river Jhelum in Baramulla town late in the afternoon.
The body was located by divers some distance away from the spot where the locals alleged he drowned when being chased by police who were after a group of stone pelters.
"The body was fished out from the river and it has been handed over to the relatives for burial," a senior police officer said. As news of the body being found spread in Baramulla town, 54 km from capital Srinagar, angry mobs shouting anti-India slogans took to the streets and indulged in heavy stone pelting on the security forces. A strong mob also tried to torch the house of a special police officer (SPO) who the locals allege was involved in the drowning of the youth. Police opened fire to disperse the mob, resulting in the spot death of one person identified as Fayaz Ahmad. As the situation deteriorated authorities moved fresh reinforcements in the town to control the situation. Police sources said mobs were pelting stones at the police and the paramilitary CRPF in the town, where tension has escalated.

Mourners Mauled Youth Killed, 24 Wounded In Varmul Police Firing
Varmul, July 19: Continuing with its spree of killing youth by bullets and teargas shells, police Monday evening opened indiscriminate fire on mourners, carrying the body of teenager Faizan who was earlier allegedly chased to death by policemen in this north Kashmir town. A newly wed youth was killed and 24 others injured in today’s police action, reports said. The body of Faizan Ahmed Buhroo, a class 7 student, was retrieved from the river Jehlum at Chattipadshahi Bridge at around 5:00 pm. After the body was recovered, thousands of people took to streets in the town raising pro-freedom, anti-India and anti-police slogans. Carrying the body on a stretcher, people marched on the Srinagar-Muzzafarabad road demanding action against the SOG personnel Tanveer Ahmed alias Kaka, whom they blamed for the drowning of Faizan during clashes on Saturday in Azad Gunj area. As the mourners reached near R&B office at Varmul, Deputy Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Bhat and Additional Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf Shantoo reached the spot. The protesters demanded action against the SOG man and refused to bury the body until registration of FIR against the policeman, but the DC assured them that action would be initiated against him after burial of the body. As the stand-off continued, hundreds of women wailing and beating their chests joined the protesters and moved ahead. “The policemen opened indiscriminate firing on the procession when they reached near Deputy Commissioner’s office,” eyewitnesses said, adding that bullets were showered on protesters for five minutes. “A civilian was killed and 24 others were wounded in the police firing,” they added. The deceased has been identified as Fayaz Ahmed Khanday of Chandoosa Varmul and was working as waiter at City Hotel Varmul. The doctors at district hospital Varmul told Greater Kashmir that he was brought dead to hospital and had received bullet injury in the chest. Among the 24 injured, 16 have received bullet injuries and one of the critically injured has been referred to SMHS Srinagar for treatment. After the death of Fayaz, thousands of people took to streets at Tehsil Chowk, Farooqi Point, Main Chowk, Khanpora, Cement Bridge, Azad Gunj bridge and Transport Yard Bridge. Protests also broke out in usually peaceful areas of Noorbagh and Kanli Bagh leading to a very tense situation in the town. Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral procession of Faizan at Eidgah Varmul. Late night protests also broke out in the native area of Fayaz when his body was brought home. Fayaz Ahmed was reportedly married only a few weeks back.

Police Bus Crushes Civilian
Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:00 IST
Authorities on Monday lifted curfew from Sopore town and restriction on movement of people across Kashmir Valley but life continued to remain disrupted due to a week-long shutdown called by the separatists.
The situation in Batmaloo in central Srinagar was, however, tense following death of a youth in a road mishap involving a police vehicle in the locality on Monday morning.
Police said four persons travelling in a car were injured after being hit by a police vehicle. The injured were rushed to hospital, where one of them Nadeem Ahmad Mir of Zainakote area succumbed to injuries.
After an hour of the mishap, people took to the streets and staged a demonstration. Police and paramilitary forces deployed in the area used batons to disperse them leading to a clash. The police fired teargas shells to disperse the stone-pelting protestors.
The clashes between the two sides were going on till noon, police said.
Police said curfew, which was imposed yesterday in Sopore town of north Kashmir, along with restrictions on the movement of the public under section 144 CrPC in rest of the Valley, including 12 police station areas of Srinagar, was lifted today.
However, life remained crippled in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley as shops and business markets, educational institutions, remained closed and transport off the roads, officials said.
The hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by jailed leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had given a call for a week-long shutdown to protest killing of several youths in the past one month.
Meanwhile, the situation in Baramulla, 55 kms from here, continues to be tense following clashes in the wake of a controversy over a teenager's death on Saturday.
The search for the body of the teenager, who drowned in river Jhelum on Saturday, was still on, they said. Police maintained that the youth drowned in the river and denied allegations that he was chased by special operations group personnel and pushed into the river.

Strike Keeps Life On Standstill Across Kashmir
Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00 IST
Srinagar: Normal life remains on a standstill across Kashmir valley as a general strike is being observed at the call of the Hurriyat Conference (G) to protest the civilian killings.
Although officially restrictions have been lifted today in the Old City areas of Srinagar but there are reports that restrictions remain in place in some localities.
Shops, educational institutions and business establishments remain closed in Srinagar city and other parts of the Valley. Public transport is off the roads but some private vehicles are seen plying in uptown areas and on the highway.
There are also reports about stone-pelting in some areas of the city, including Eidgah, Safa Kadal, Chattabal, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Fateh Kadal and Victory Crossing, Rambagh, etc.
Meanwhile, efforts to find the body of 13-year-old Faizan Ahmad Buhroo who allegedly drowned in north Kashmir township of Varmul Saturday after being chased by security forces. Tension remains high in Varmul and the adjoining town of Sopore.

Troops Patrol Tense Indian Kashmir; Major Towns Again Under Curfew To Prevent Protests.
Tens of thousands of armed police and paramilitary soldiers patrolled the largely deserted streets of Indian Kashmir on Sunday, warning residents to stay indoors in Srinagar and other major towns to thwart any protests.
The curfew comes amid a call by separatists for renewed rallies against Indian rule following three weeks of civil unrest that left 15 people dead. The mostly Muslim region, where resistance to being governed by predominantly Hindu India is strong, has been under a rolling curfew to clamp down on street protests and clashes.
On Sunday, troops laid razor wire and erected steel barricades in Srinagar as shops and businesses remained closed and vehicles stayed off the roads. There were no reports of protests. Authorities postponed all scheduled college examinations until July 24.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, the region's main grouping of separatist parties, called for weeklong public protests in the region to begin Saturday. It also called on shops and businesses to stay open for a half-day to allow residents to stock up on supplies. The government kept offices open for a few hours, as well.
By late Saturday, protests and clashes erupted in many parts of the region. Demonstrators chanting, "Go India, go back. We want freedom," hurled stones at police and paramilitary soldiers who responded by firing tear gas, said a police officer on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to reporters.
In Baramulla, a town north of the main city of Srinagar, locals say a teenage boy drowned in a river after he was chased by policemen during Saturday's clashes. Government official Bashir Ahmed Bhat said authorities would try to locate the body and then conduct an investigation. But the news further fueled anger, and thousands of residents took to the streets, chanting slogans against Indian rule.
The tension in the Himalayan region — divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both — is reminiscent of the late 1980s, when protests against New Delhi's rule sparked an armed conflict. Since then, more than 68,000 people have been killed, mostly civilians. Separatist politicians and militants want to carve out a separate homeland or merge with Pakistan.

Curfew, Shutdown Hit Life
Varmul Mourns Faizan’s Death Sopur Youth Injured In Firing
Srinagar, July 18: Shutdown called by Hurriyat Conference (G) and curfew imposed by authorities paralyzed life in Srinagar on Sunday, a day after normalcy was restored for half a day. A youth sustained bullet injury in north Kashmir’s Sopur town while protests erupted in Varmul and Pampore areas.
The Hurriyat (G), spearheading the ‘Quit Jammu and Kashmir movement” had urged people to observe shutdown against the civilian killings and against the “atrocities committed on Kashmiris.” It had also urged people to stage protests in Masjids. However, authorities responded by imposing curfew and restrictions across the city.
Deployed in large numbers, police and paramilitary troopers imposed strict curfew in the volatile old city.
Police and CRPF men had blocked roads at several junctions and intersections in the old city. “They didn’t honour the curfew passes issued by the district administration,” locals alleged. Officials, however, said they imposed prohibitory orders in most areas as a precautionary measure.
After nearly three weeks of curfew and shutdowns, summer capital, especially the commercial hub Lal Chowk, had witnessed huge rush of people on Saturday after the strike was called for a half day, during which people thronged marketplaces to stock up essentials.
While the situation remained calm during the day, protests erupted in several uptown and downtown localities in the evening when the police and paramilitary deployment was withdrawn.
The rest of towns and district headquarters also remained shut.
SOPUR YOUTH INJURED
Authorities had imposed curfew like restrictions in Sopur. However, late in the evening protests broke out at several localities in the town. Police and CRPF first baton charged and lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters, who retaliated with stones triggering clashes. “Forces responded by opening fire. A youth Firdous Ahmad of Khushallmatoo was injured in the firing. He was first shifted to a local hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar,” witnesses said. “ Bullet had passed through his leg.”
Protests also broke out in Pampore town of Pulwama district where locals took out a procession from Namblabal to Kadlabal. People raised pro-freedom slogans during protests. The protesters later dispersed off peacefully.
Locals staged protests at Murran in Pulwama. Police later cane charged them.
ALTAF BABA ADDS FROM VARMUL
Authorities imposed strict restrictions in north Kashmir’s Varmul town on Sunday to prevent people from staging demonstrations against the death of a 13-year old boy Faizan Rafiq who drowned into a river after he was allegedly chased by the force personnel on Saturday evening.
All the three bridges—Cement Bridge, Transport Yard Bridge, Azadgunj Bridge—connecting old town with the civil line areas were blocked by Police and CRPF men.
In old town, hundreds of youths took to streets demanding action against the erring cops responsible for Faizan’s drowning.
Protesters said that the incident could have been avoided as there were no severe clashes at the time of the incident. “A group of small kids was on the bridge. There weren’t any severe clashes going on. The reaction of cops was unwarranted and ruthless. The incident should be probed and the guilty persons should be booked on murder charges” said Manzoor Ahmad of old town Varmul.
“Cops could have arrested Faizan as he was not holding any deadly weapon in his hand. Those responsible for pushing Faizan into river should be hanged,” said victim’s elder sister.
Meanwhile, efforts were on to retrieve victim’s body. A boat from the navy had also been pressed in to the service.

Sajjad Lone asks Mirwaiz, JKLF to support Hurriyat (G)
Sat, 17 Jul 2010 12:52 IST
Srinagar: People's Conference leader, Sajjad Lone has called upon the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu & Kashmir Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) to support the programmes of the Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Writing on his Facebook wall, Sajjad said, "All parties, in particular Hurriyat (M) and JKLF should support the Hurriyat (G). Far too long there have been accusations of betrayal. At this juncture the people are heeding to their timetables."
"Give them a free hand. If they deliver they lead. If they dont, despite hartals and fatalities, leave it to their conscience, whether they deserve to lead-let us all facilitate the evolution of our nation", he further said.
Interestingly, his suggestion has evoked a widespread but mixed response from other Facebook users.

Clashes After Friday Prayers in Indian Kashmir (VOANews)
Hundreds of anti-India protesters clashed with security forces Friday in Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city, even as authorities reimposed a strict curfew across most of region.
Friday's curfew was eased slightly in Srinagar to allow worshippers to attend prayers at smaller local mosques, but no prayers were allowed at the main mosque, Jamia Masjid.
After prayers ended, hundreds poured into the streets to protest Indian rule in defiance of the curfew. Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse protesters in scattered clashes. Other cities in the Kashmir valley were put under similar restrictions to block planned separatist marches.
Indian authorities have struggled to maintain order in the region, which has been rocked by strikes and protests against Indian rule for nearly a month. At least 15 people have died in shootings blamed on police and paramilitary soldiers trying to stop the demonstrations.
Muslim insurgents in Kashmir have been fighting for a bloody push for independence from India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan for more than 20 years. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but claimed in its entirety by both. Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

In Kashmir, stone throwers face off with Indian security forces
By Emily Wax Washington Post Foreign Service Saturday, July 17, 2010
One minute, a shaggy-haired 21-year-old is on the Internet, mixing brooding rock music with video footage of young Kashmiris protesting Indian control of this disputed Himalayan region. The next, he's out on the streets wielding a more traditional weapon: the stone.
The latest outbreak of dissent here, dubbed "Kashmir's stone war," marks a shift in the mostly Muslim region's long-running struggle for autonomy. In a post-9/11, globalized world, Pakistan-backed separatists no longer roam the streets of this summer capital with guns. Instead, the heirs to the conflict are styling their discontent after cellphone images of the Palestinian uprising and its stone-throwing youths.
"If we take up arms, the world will call us terrorists. Stone pelting is the only way to fight for our freedom," said Sajid Shah, a.k.a. Lion of Allah, who was editing his videos in hiding Wednesday. "It makes India think. It makes the world think: What's happening in Kashmir? We will get our freedom with the stone."
In the past few weeks, the protests have grown deadly, with at least 15 young people killed when Indian security forces fired into crowds of stone throwers. The new tactic -- which India's Central Reserve Police Force chief, N.K. Tripati, has described as "gunless terrorism" -- is testing India's ability to manage dissent in the region and to protect its image as an aspiring superpower that hopes for a seat on the U.N. Security Council. Many Indians have said that the security forces should find safer methods of controlling teenagers who pelt them with stones.
"Indian forces were caught with their pants down by these stone throwers," said Ajay Sahni, executive director of New Delhi's Institute for Conflict Management. "The killings were pure incompetence. We had all the intelligence that this was being planned. We heard the chatter over the Internet and phones. Despite this, there wasn't an effective response, only a lethal one."
Not all of the victims were demonstrators. Some, like shawl embroiderer Fancy Jan, 25, were caught in crossfire. A stray bullet killed Jan when she was hanging a curtain in her home to block the tear gas. In addition, hundreds of Indian paramilitary troops and Kashmiri police officers have been injured, some with bloody gashes to their foreheads.

The cycle of the hurled stone and the bullet fired back grew so deadly that Omar Abdullah, chief minister of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, called last week for the Indian army to be deployed for the first time in more than a decade to assist state police and paramilitary forces. Curfews were imposed. The state even blocked text messages, which were used to organize the stone-throwing.
"For over 20 years, the security forces were conditioned to believe the biggest challenge was militancy," Abdullah said Wednesday. "Now it's youngsters hurling stones that whiz at them at 40 miles an hour. Obviously, the response has to be different."
Many Kashmiris say that Abdullah, India's youngest chief minister, forfeited popular support when he called in the Indian army to quell the protests.
Abdullah said he had no choice. "I sleep well at night," he said. "I would have rather called in the army than lost one more child."
Abdullah said his office is auditing the security forces' equipment and training them to deal with stone-pelting teenagers using more-advanced crowd-control techniques, such as sonic waves or stink bombs. Critics say he made similar promises last year but did not follow through.
"Just having pepper spray or protective gear for forces could have saved lives," said Praveen Swami, an expert on Kashmir who writes a column for the Hindu, a newspaper. "The real issue is the weakness of India's capabilities to handle law-and-order situations."
Kashmir remains at the heart of hostility between the nuclear-armed arch rivals India and Pakistan and was the cause of two of their three wars since India achieved independence from Britain in 1947. Fighting over the region has left tens of thousands of people dead, and many ordinary Kashmiris voice a desire for independence from both countries. Others say they just want Indian security forces to leave.
There is also hope that the United States will keep pressure on Pakistan, which, with nudging from Washington, has worked to shut down the pipeline of militants entering Kashmir. The United States has spent nearly $12 billion in the past eight years to bolster the Pakistani military.
'All I got is stones'
The stone-throwing this summer began June 11, when a 17-year-old student, Tufail Mattoo, was killed by a tear-gas shell that shattered his skull, making him an instant martyr. The tactic has a long history in Kashmir, but many here say that this year, it has taken on a new resonance for Kashmir's youth, who make up 70 percent of the population.
One young Kashmiri with a degree in computer applications edited a powerful video to the lyrics of the Everlast song "Stone in My Hand" and posted it on YouTube, prompting police to launch a manhunt for him. The lyrics -- "I got no pistol, ain't got no sword. I got no army, ain't got no land. All I got is stones in my hand" -- became the anthem of Kashmiri youth and is hummed on the streets here.
The stone throwers have adopted noms de guerre that range from the intimidating -- like the 13-year-old who calls himself "Deadly Accident" -- to the surreal, like the young man who named himself "Uncle Chips" after his favorite snack.
They come from a cross section of Kashmiri society. Some are well-educated members of a Facebook group, the Kashmir Stone Throwers Association. Others are paid by opposition and separatist groups to stir up trouble.
Shah, the 21-year-old who styles himself the Lion of Allah, wears all black, chain-smokes and looks like a Kashmiri James Dean. He has a girlfriend and a $500 cellphone that is also a high-tech video camera and says he has been accepted for a master's program in London. He, too, is being sought by police.
Shah said he admires the Palestinian cause because of its David-vs.-Goliath spirit and thinks of the uprising as a Kashmiri intifada.
"Today, stones are our only message of resistance," he said. "If we don't throw stones, India and the world will think everything is fine in Kashmir. It's not."

Curfewed Friday Batamaloo Chalo Foiled; No Prayers In Jamia Masjid On 3rd Consecutive Friday
Srinagar, July 16: Authorities imposed strict curfew in the summer capital here and in several parts of the Valley to thwart yet another protest march called by Hurriyat Conference on Friday. Owing to curfew, Friday prayers couldn’t be held in the historic Jamia Masjid for the third consecutive Friday today even as the ongoing shutdown entered 21st day. The Batamaloo locality, where three persons were killed by police and CRPF on July 6, was sealed by the police and CRPF to foil the march to the locality. Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani had asked people to march to Batamaloo to express solidarity with the families of those killed. Additional troopers were deployed in the Batamaloo, Magarmal Bagh, Alochi Bagh, Tengpora by-pass who blocked roads at several junctions by barricades and concertina wire. Most of the downtown localities, the epi-centre of pro-freedom protests, also remained under strict curfew. Hundreds of police and CRPF troopers deployed across the old city didn’t allow people to come out of their homes. Fearing protests after prayers, police and paramilitary CRPF, in most places in downtown didn’t allow people to come out for prayers. No prayers were held at the Jamia Masjid Srinagar for third consecutive Friday. After Friday prayers people, mainly young boys, attempted to defy restrictions in several areas and staged pro-freedom protests and clashed with forces. Protests broke out in Dalgate, Sonwar, Galwanpora, Hyderpora, Natipora, Chanapora, Bagh-e-Mehtab, Shalimar localities in the afternoon. At Hyderpora, forces cane charged protesters and lobbed tear smoke ammunition to disperse the protesters. Prayers were held at Hazratbal shrine where Friday following of Me’raj-e-Alam was observed. However, only a modest gathering of people offered prayers. The devotees couldn’t again make it to the shrine second time this month on Friday, due to imposition of curfew across valley. It is in place to mention that Friday was the 21st day of shutdown in Srinagar. The ongoing series of protests, strikes and curfew began on June 25 and have continued since then barring a day of normalcy on July 4. Massive protests and heavy clashes were also reported from Pampore town on the outskirts of Srinagar city. The clashes were going on till late in the evening.

KHALID GUL ADDS FROM SOUTH KASHMIR An undeclared curfew was clamped in several towns of south Kashmir today. A heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF men were deployed in the old town Islamabad and the Khanabal-Pahalgam (KP) road and strict restrictions were imposed. However, protests took place in the Kadipora area when the SOG men caught hold of a teenager in one of by-lanes and thrashed him and tried to take him along. Soon, women came out on streets and rescued him from their clutches. After the Friday prayers some youth assembled in the by-lanes of Kadipora and pelted stones on the police and CRPF men. During the clashes two persons injuring a cop were injured. The residents accused the SOG men of smashing their window panes and also pelting stones inside the residential houses and also using string shots. The area has been witnessing massive protests during the last two days demanding the removal of SOG camp for they accuse their men of harassing them. Though the district administration has assured the locals of removal of the camp but they have vowed to continue their protests. Due to curfew, Friday prayers were not allowed in the centrally located masjids of the town. Massive protests also rocked the Chinar town of Bijbehera, Mattan, Shangus, Achabal, Dooru and Sangam. People were shouting pro-freedom, anti-India and ‘Go India Go’ slogans. Shutdown was also observed in the tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Kokernag. Protests were also witnessed in Kulgam, Ashmuji and Yaripora areas despite severe restrictions. In Shopian town, thousands of people gathered outside the Jamia Masjid and staged massive pro-freedom protests. Most of the protesters were seen robbed in white clothes. In Pulwama, Pampore, Awantipora, Tral and Kakpora towns Section 144 was imposed and severe restrictions were enforced. After Friday prayers protest demonstrations were held in many areas of Shopian and Pulwama including Kakapora, Rajpora, Aukhoo, Samboora, Shopian town and Dadsara.

ALTAF BABA & TARIQ RASOOL ADD FROM NORTH KASHMIR: Amid curfew like restrictions, protest broke out in several parts of the north Kashmir including Varmul, Sopur, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Pattan and Sumbal. Curfew-like restrictions remained imposed in Varmul town today. The three bridges—Cement Bridge, Transport Yard Bridge, and Azad Gunj Bridge— connecting old town with the civil line areas were seized by the police and no one from the old town area was allowed to cross over. Severe restrictions were enforced on the Varmul-Srinagar highway and no private vehicle was allowed to ply on the road. Meanwhile hundreds of people from old town took out a procession after the Friday prayers. As the protesters reached the cement bridge, they were not allowed to cross the bridge resulting in clashes between the protesters and the police. Police fired several tear smoke shells to quell the protesters. Protests were also reported from Delina, Sheeri and Pattan areas of the district. At Saloora, Ganderbal, many young boys took out a protest rally. However, police swung into action and used force to disperse the protesters. Police lobbed tear smoke canisters in which six persons including a woman and a child were injured. Locals alleged that policemen desecrated Jamia Masjid Saloora and smashed its windowpanes. Even as the entire Ganderbal district remained shut but the movement of the yatris to and from Amarnath cave remained unhindered. After Friday prayers people tried to hold a protest demonstration from Jamia Masjid Bandipora but police laid the siege around the Masjid and did not allow people to come out. People raised slogans and staged protest march from Jamia Masjid to martyrs graveyard Bandipora. Scores of people led by the chief cleric of Jamia Masjid, Bandipora, Molvi Khurshid Ahmed Naqshbandi, marched towards martyrs graveyard Bandipora and offered prayers. People from Papchan and Ashtangoo also marched towards Bandipora but were intercepted by police near martyrs graveyard. Peaceful demonstrations after Friday prayers were also reported from other areas of the district including Old Jamia Masjid, Kaloosa, Mangnipora, Ashtangoo, Sumbal and Hajin.

10 INJURED IN KUPWARA CLASHES: Amidst curfew, massive protests erupted in Kupwara district today, reported Shahid Rafiq. Police resorted to baton charge and fired dozens of tear smoke canisters and rounds of live ammunition in air to disperse the processions in different areas of the district. At least 10 persons including 4 police and CRPF men were injured in the violent clashes. Defying the curfew and strict restrictions, people held massive pro-freedom protests and started marching towards Kupwara after Friday prayers. Thousands of people from Kralpora, Trehgam, Batergam, Tiker and other adjoining areas marched towards Kupwara raising pro-freedom slogans. These processions were intercepted by police and CRPF, triggering clashes. Police fired tear gas shells and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the protesters at Kralpora and Tiker. Eyewitnesses said at least 5 persons were injured in the clashes. Locals alleged that CRPF smashed and damaged the shutters, furniture and sign boards of shops at Kralpora market to avenge the protests. Massive protests were held in Langate, Chotipora, Wudipora, Gonipora, Pohru and Kulangam areas of Handwara tehsil. Eyewitnesses said that 2 policemen and 3 civilians were injured in the clashes at Chotipora when police and CRPF men resorted to tear gas shelling and cane charging to disperse a procession. Muhammad Iqbal Shah of Langate was injured when he received a tear gas shell in his leg at Chotipora Handwara.

Hurriyat (G) Announces Fresh Progamme (No Strike On Saturday Till 2 PM)
Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:30 IST
Srinagar: The Hurriyat Conference (G) on Friday announced fresh programme for protests for the coming week in Kashmir. The conglomerate in a statement issued here today has asked students to protest peacefully on Saturday (July 17), after 2 pm. And there will be no strike till 2 pm. People have been asked to get all daily need items till 2 pm. On Sunday (18 July), people have been asked to observe complete strike and there should be peaceful protest after every prayer. "On July 19 Monday, all the employees should protest against the arrest of pro-freedom leaders and youths, the statement read." On July 20, Tuesday, the conglomerate has asked general public to protest peacefully. On Wednesday, July 21 and Thursday July 22, Hurriyat (G) has asked people to hold peaceful sit-in protests on roads. On Friday July 23, people have been asked to protests in all districts and March to Khankah-E-Moula, in Srinagar. On Saturday July 24, there should be a protest by all doctors and lawyers. Hurriyat will come out with a new protest calender on July 25 (Sunday), it said.

Valley Under Siege / Un-Declared Curfew
11:00 IST
Kashmir Valley (Srinagar / Baramulla / Sopore / Anantnag / Bandipora etc ) have been put under un-declared curfew, to curb today's after Friday prayers rally. People were to wear white Qameez-Shalwars and offer Friday prayers in the Masjids at centrally located places and stage protests after Friday prayers. More details awaited.

Hold Rallies In white Dress Today: Hurriyat (G) To People ‘ Make It To Batamaloo After Friday Prayers ’
Srinagar, July 15: Hurriyat Conference (G) has reiterated its appeal to people to make successful call for protest rallies at centrally located places after Friday prayers tomorrow. In a statement, the Hurriyat Conference general secretary Masrat Alam Bhat appealed people to wear white Qameez-Shalwars on July 16 and offer Friday prayers in the Masjids at centrally located places and stage protests after Friday prayers. He urged people of Srinagar to march towards Batamaloo where tributes would be paid to recently martyred youth. “Protest rally will also be organized at Batamaloo,” he said, adding that protest rallies would also be organized at Islamabad Chowk, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Varmul, Kupwara, Handwara and Sopur besides in Chenab Valley, Poonch and Rajouri. “Hurriyat leaders will address the public meetings at these places,” he said. Masrat Alam has hailed the role of Bar Association and hoped it would continue its struggle in the same spirit. Masrat welcomed the statement of Traders’ Federation in which it had hailed the spirit and sacrifices of people associated with ongoing freedom movement. He appealed to all the traders to participate in protests rallies on Friday. He has condemned the police threats to doctors, terming it as reflection of fascist mindset. Masrat said, “The Quit Jammu Kashmir movement has entered into a decisive phase and people, at this crucial juncture, are required to demonstrate extreme wisdom and farsightedness and maintain unity and brotherhood to take it (movement) to its logical end.”

Protests, Sit-Ins Across Valley Complete Shutdown Against Killings; CRPF - Men Damage SKIMS Vehicle
Srinagar, July 15: Massive peaceful protests and roadside sit-ins were staged across the Kashmir valley on Thursday amid a complete shutdown. Police used force against protesters at several places including at Pampore injuring several persons. In Srinagar, since early morning motley groups of youth poured out on roads and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. They blocked roads by boulders, erecting barricades and burning tyres. At several places including Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal and Eidgah road youth pelted stones on vehicles enforcing a bandh. Protesters also barred the movement of ambulances on many routes. Scores of private vehicles and auto rickshaws were damaged in the attacks. People also came out on roads in many uptown localities including Batmaloo, Bemina, Rambagh, Natipora, Chanapora, Bagh-e-Mehtab, Parimpora, and staged demonstrations as part of the ‘civil disobedience’ programme. By the afternoon, in almost all localities people including men and women, young and old, staged sit-ins on the roadsides mainly outside Masjids. Youth raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans over Masjid loud speakers and also recited Naats—a reminiscent of early ’90s when militancy broke out in the Valley. Sit-ins were held at Khanyar, Bohri Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Safa Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Nawa Kadal, Noor Bagh, Nawab Bazar, Aali Kadal, Nowhatta, Hawal, Nowshera, Lal Bazaar, Hazratbal, Soura, Maharaja Bazar, Sarai Bala and other localities which continued till late evening. Interestingly, for the first time in recent weeks, no police or CRPF was deployed anywhere in the old city. Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for two-day protests on Wednesday and Thursday asking people to stage protests against the recent civilian killings. Police said prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC, barring the assembly of four of more people, remained clamped in the city and elsewhere in the Valley as a precautionary measure. Educational institutions, offices, banks, courts, continued to be remained closed during the day. Both the private and public transport remained off the roads. All the fuel stations remained closed in the city.
CRPF Goes Berserk, Attacks Vehicles CRPF troopers at Iddgah attacked a vehicle, JKO5-7604, of SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, carrying paramedical staff. The driver of the vehicle was injured in the attack. “We were returning from SKIMS via Ali Jan Road. As soon as we reached near Iddgah, where minor protests were going on, CRPF men attacked our vehicle by stones,” the paramedics said. The windshield and windowpanes of the vehicle were smashed in the attack. Confirming the attack, the Medical Superintendent, Dr Muhammad Amin Tabish, voiced serious concern over the alleged harassment of SKIMS staff, particularly females, who, he said, were working in very difficult conditions. He urged the law enforcement agencies to ensure protection and safe passage to the Institute staff, including doctors and paramedics. He said he had taken up the matter with the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ashiq Bukhari, who had assured investigation into the incident. In the evening, witnesses said, CRPF troopers went berserk and beat up pedestrians without any provocation at Khanyar. They also damaged the vehicles parked on roadsides. They also set ablaze a motorcycle near Shiraz Chowk. Protests and sit-ins were staged in the towns and districts of north and south Kashmir. People came out on roads and erected tents and staged demonstrations at several localities in Pulwama, Pampore, Tral, Dooru Shahabad and Kulgam. Protesters clashed with police near Nambalabal in Pampore. Police cane charged the protesters and lobbed tear smoke ammunition to control the situation. Witnesses said two youth were injured in the police action. Locals said that police had arrested a youth from the area and they were protesting against his detention. In Pulwama, protesters pelted stones on vehicles at Pampore, Muran, Tiken, Koil, Nowhar, Bandzoo, Pinglena and Tiken while strict restrictions were imposed in Shopian and Kakapora by police and CRPF. In Islamabad, sit-ins were held at Kadipora, Reshi Bazaar, Malakhnag, Chini Chowk, Janglaat Mandi, Sheerpora, Bijbehara and several other places. People at Kadipora raised the demand of removal of SOG camp from the area. In North Kashmir, sit-ins were held at Sumbal, Bandipora, Pattan, Beerwah, Safapora and Ganderbal. Peaceful protests and sit-ins were also reported from Kupwara district. In several areas including Trehgam, Kralpora, Rigipora, Khumryal, Kupwara, Halmatpora, Kralgund, Handwara and Gunapora, people including women and children came out on roads as part of the ‘Quit Kashmir’ and ‘civil disobedience’ movement and held pro-freedom protests.

Cong Leader Arrested For Stone-Pelting
Varmul, July 15: A local Congress leader is among the dozens of youth arrested in Varmul and Sopur towns on charges of stone-pelting. According to police sources, Manzoor Ahmmad Fafoo a resident of Khawajabagh, Varmul who unsuccessfully contested 2005 Municipal Council elections on Congress ticket from ward 20 of Khawajabagh locality of Varmul district was arrested on charges of stone-pelting and instigating the youth. Police has registered FIR No. 129/2010 under sections 148, 149, 336 and 323 crpc against the accused. The General Secretary of Congress confirmed that Manzoor contested the 2005 Municipal elections on the party ticket. “Manzoor unsuccessfully contested 2005 Municipal polls on Congress ticket. The family of Manzoor claims that he has been arrested wrongly by the police as police was in search of another person with the same name and had wrongly picked up Manzoor,” said state Congress general secretary GN Monga. Monga said that if Manzoor is involved in the crime, disciplinary action will be taken against him.

Thousands Protest In Indian Kashmir (AFP)
SRINAGAR — Thousands of protesters poured into the centre of the main city of Indian Kashmir on Thursday after authorities lifted restrictions for the first time in five days.
The Muslim-majority region has been wracked by demonstrations since June 11 when security forces were accused of killing a 17-year-old. Since then, another 14 protesters and bystanders have been killed.
As violence spread, local authorities slapped rigid curfews on most of the region, arrested activists and ordered the army onto the streets to stage flag marches in the summer capital Srinagar.
Kashmiris, mostly young men chanting "We Want Freedom!" and "Allah Is Great!", staged sit-in protests at several places in Srinagar on Thursday, heeding a call by hardline separatists opposed to Indian rule in the region.
"We are watching the situation closely. If need arises we may reimpose restrictions on the movement of the people," a police officer, who asked not to be named, told AFP.
Shops, schools and offices also remained closed for the fifth day running Thursday on the call of separatists opposed to Indian rule. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, which administer it jointly but claim it in full.
An anti-India insurgency in the part ruled by New Delhi has claimed an estimated 47,000 lives.
 

Protests & Demonstrations In Valley. Roadside Sit-Ins Mark Strike In Kashmir
Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:17
Srinagar: Amid a complete shutdown, peaceful protests and roadside sit-ins by people have been reported from several parts of the Valley on Thursday.
Prohibitory orders remain in force in the entire Kashmir Valley even as normal life continue to remain affected in the wake of a two-day strike call given by the Hurriyat Conference lead by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed and public transport was off the roads across the Valley.
Police said prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC restricting assembly of people will remain clamped in the city and elsewhere in the Valley as a precautionary measure.
In several areas of the Valley, including Nowhatta, Fateh Kadal, Rambagh, etc in Srinagar, people, including women and children, came out on the roads as part of the 'civil disobedience' movement. At Rambagh police and paramilitary forces used force the disperse the people. Further details about the situation are awaited.

Strike, Restrictions Continue Sit-In Protests Held Across Valley; 15 Hurt
Srinagar, July 14: Amid complete shutdown, sit-in protests were staged across the valley on the call of Hurriyat Conference (G) on Wednesday. About 15 persons were wounded in police action in Islamabad town and a youth was critically injured after being hit by a CRPF vehicle during clashes in Sopur town. Life continued to remain paralyzed in Srinagar city and other districts of the valley as the shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed and public transport was off the roads. However, thin private transport was plying on the roads. The prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 CrPC continued to be in place in old city. Large contingent of police and paramilitary CRPF troopers were deployed in areas falling under Nowhatta, Khanyar, Maharajgunj and Safakadal police stations. People took to streets and staged demonstrations in Nowgam, Hyderpora, and Tengpora and sit-in held at Chota Bazar in old city.
SOUTH KASHMIR Shutdown was also observed in entire South Kashmir and people held peaceful dharna’s at several places. Despite restrictions, people staged sit-in at Lal Chowk, Sherpora, Reshipora and Kadipora areas of Islamabad town. The cops of Special Operation Group Islamabad however used force on the sit-in at Kadipora. At least 15 persons were wounded in police action and some of the injured were identified as Farooq Ahmed Misgar, Reyaz Magray, Muhammad Amin, Mukthar Ahmed, Muhammed Iqbal Bhat and Muhammad Hussain Waza. Normal life was also disrupted in Shopian, Pulwama, Pampore, Tral, Awantipora and Kakapora towns of South Kashmir. The people staged sit-in at Bonbazar and Golcha in Shopain and Kulgam and Bijbehara areas. In Pulwama town, youth pelted stones on vehicles, while in Kakapora large contingent of police was deployed to prevent protests. The troopers also blocked the Samboora road to prevent people from marching towards Kakapora.
NORTH KASHMIR Complete shutdown was also observed in Varmul, Kupwara and Bandipora districts of north Kashmir. The residents of Varmul town told Greater Kashmir that police has arrested scores of youth to thwart the protests against the killings of teenagers. “Several youth have been picked up by police in areas of old town, Sangri Colony, Khoja Bagh and other areas of the town,” they alleged. In Sopur town, this morning scores of youth took to streets in Muslim Peer, Main Chowk and Chankhan areas and pelted stones on cops and CRPF troopers, but were chased away. Eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir that during the clashes a CRPF vehicle crushed Fayaz Ahmed Malik. The doctors at SDH Sopur referred him to Srinagar for treatment. The incident triggered widespread demonstrations in the town, however police and CRPF troopers fired dozens of teargas canisters to disperse the protests, which were continuing till late night. Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for staging peaceful sit-in protests on July 14 and 15.
DOCTORS ALLEGE HARASSMENT: The doctors who participated in peaceful protests in the Government Medical College premises told Greater Kashmir that they were being threatened of ‘dire consequences’ by police. They accused an officer of police station Karanagar of threatening them.

Govt. Pursues Dictatorial Policies: Hurriyat (M)
Srinagar, July 14: Hurriyat Conference (M) on Wednesday accused the government of pursuing dictatorial and anti-people policies in Valley, terming these as highly condemnable. “The continued curfew for the past 17 days in the densely populated Shahr-e-Khas has made miserable the life of people there. The deployment of armed forces in the interior lanes of Shahr-e-Khas has caused sense of insecurity among the inhabitants. These forces, on one or the other pretext, barge into the residential houses of people and beat the inmates and ransack their household belongings to provoke them to resort to violence so that they (armed forces) could have a justification to open fire and kill them,” said a spokesman of the Hurriyat in a statement today, adding that “The conglomerate is also receiving reports of alarming situation from other parts of the Valley. Telephones and other means of communication have been suspended in district Varmul to keep the world unaware about worsening situation of the district.” The spokesman said the ongoing peaceful protest demonstrations by the people of Batamaloo against the recent killings in the area by the government forces were genuine and the Hurriyat supported their demand for bringing the killers to justice. Meanwhile, Hurriyat has strongly condemned the continued house arrest of its chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq.

Life Remains Paralysed Across Kashmir
Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:30
Srinagar: Even as curfew was today officially lifted from the Batmaloo area of Srinagar and Sopore town, life continued to remain disrupted in the Kashmir Valley due to a strike called by the Hurriyat Conference.
Curfew, which was clamped in Batmaloo area of central Srinagar and Sopore town in North Kashmir yesterday, was lifted, police said. Prohibitory orders remain in force under four police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Maharajgunj and Safakadal in old city, they said. The restrictions in old city continued as processions were taken out by people in several areas last evening after the restrictions were relaxed, police said.
Elsewhere, life remains paralysed in other parts of the valley and the city due to a strike being observed to protest the recent killings and demand release of the prisoners. (With inputs from PTI)

Make July 14-15 Sit-In Protests Successful: Asiya To People
Srinagar, July 13: Supporting the Hurriyat Conference (G) programme, chairperson Dukhtaran-e-Milat Asiya Andrabi has appealed to people to make successful the two day sit-in programme on July 14 and 15. Asiya, according to DeM statement, called upon all Kashmiris irrespective of their age and gender to keep their houses locked and take to streets on July 14 and July 15. “As every section of people of united India played their role within their own limits in the war against British imperialism, people of Kashmir belonging to different fields of life should, in the same way, play their respective parts in the ongoing struggle for freedom,” she said. “The losses in terms of life and material and education of children, are inevitable in the freedom struggle but these can’t be made basis for any compromise,” she said. “The material sacrifices of cart pushers and daily-wagers have no value before those who offer the supreme sacrifices of their life for the cause of freedom,” she said, appealing people to continue their struggle for freedom. “We should not leave legacy of slavery to our successors,” she said. Adhere to our program: Hurriyat (G) Srinagar, July 13: Continuing with its programme, the Hurriyat (G) on Tuesday appealed people to stage a sit- in at respective localities on Wednesday and Thursday. In a statement, a Hurriyat (G) spokesman said, “People should shun all the business activities on July 14 and 15 and stage a sit-in.” The spokesman appealed the traders, transporters, shopkeepers and people from all walks of life to adhere to the program.

Govt. Foils Separatist March Curfew, Restrictions Paralyse Valley
Srinagar, July 13: Authorities imposed curfew and restrictions across the summer capital to stave off protests and thwart rallies called by separatist groups on the martyrs’ day on Tuesday. Police and CRPF personnel, deployed in strength, sealed and secured the martyrs’ graveyard at Naqshband Sahab in downtown for the visit of various mainstream leaders who paid floral tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931. The roads and lanes leading to the venue remained blocked by armoured vehicles, iron barricades and razor wire. The restrictions were tough in Khanyar, Nowhatta, Khawaja Bazar, Rainawari, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal and other neighbouring localities. Police and CPRF men didn’t allow any civilian movement in these localities. Pertinently, police has cracked down on youth and arrested scores for taking part in “pro-freedom protests and stone-pelting.” Officials, however, said restrictions and prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC were in place in the city to stave off protests. The Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani had asked people to visit the martyrs’ graveyard for prayer meeting and later march towards Iddgah while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led Hurriyat had asked people to march towards the United Nations office at Sonawar after paying tributes at martyrs’ graveyard. Residents of uptown Batamaloo and Barzalla localities said that the police made announcements early in the morning over loudspeakers about the imposition of curfew in the area. Curfew-like restrictions were also imposed in several other uptown areas of the city. Protests erupted in uptown Galwanpora, Hyderpora locality during the day. Police and CRPF men swung into action and quelled the protesters by baton charging them and firing teargas shells. Several separatist leaders of Hurriyat (M), including its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abbas Ansari, Aga Syed Al Mouswi, Shahid-ul-Islam, and Mukhtar Ahmad were kept under house arrest at their respective residences. In central Kashmir’s Budgam district, an undeclared curfew was imposed with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary troopers across road.
NORTH KASHMIR In Bandipora district, hundreds of people poured out onto the streets and staged protests to mark the martyr’s day at several places. Protestors tried to march towards Srinagar. But huge contingents of CRPF and policemen prevented them to move ahead. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, protestors demanded action against the police and CRPF men involved in the recent killings of youth. The protesters staged at main town Bandipora, Hajin, Naidkhai, Aloosa, Ashtangoo and Saderkoot. No untoward incident was reported in the district. In Varmul, Sopur, Handwara, Kupwara, and Ganderbal, a complete shutdown was observed. Restrictions were imposed in most of the towns to foil any attempts of taking out rallies and protests.
SOUTH KASHMIR Amid curfew like restrictions, complete shutdown was observed in the south Kashmir towns of Islamabad, Kulgam, Pulwama, Kakapora, Shopian, Rajpora, Pampore, Tral and Awantipora. Authorities had deployed police and CRPF men in strength in the major commercial hubs of Pulwama and Shopian to foil protests and Iddgah Chalo call given by APHC. Shops and business establishments remained closed while commercial traffic was also off the roads.
 

Valley Under Siege / Un-Declared Curfew
Most of the parts in Kashmir Valley have been put under un-declared curfew, to curb today's rally. Tributes were to be paid to Martyrs of July 13, 1931 at Mazaar-e-Shuhada, Naqshband Sahab at 11:00 am, and  rally had to be taken to martyrs’ graveyard Iddgah to pay homage and to show allegiance towards the mission of Martyrs. More details awaited.

Protest Strike Continues (Prohibitory Orders In Srinagar, Islamabad; CRPF Shoots Varmul Youth)
Srinagar, July 12: A complete shutdown was observed across Kashmir Valley on Monday even as prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC remained in place in many parts of the city. The Hurriyat Conference (G), led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had asked people to observe a civil curfew today against the civilian killings at the hands of government forces for the past one month.
Normal life continued to be hit as shops, businesses, banks, courts and educational institutions remained closed. Public transport remained off the roads on most of the routes.
No protests or incidents of stone-pelting were reported anywhere in the old city where officials said prohibitory orders remained in force. A heavy deployment of policemen and central paramilitary troopers was seen patrolling the streets in the downtown localities. They had sealed the entry points to the old city areas by barricades and razor wires.
In Varmul, a youth was injured when CRPF troopers opened fire at him near Delina. Witnesses said that CRPF opened fire at Sameer Ahmad Sheikh of Delina without any provocation. CRPF has claimed that he attempted to hurl stones at them.
Sameer received a bullet injury in his ankle and was shifted to a hospital where doctors operated upon him and later discharged him after treatment. Mild clashes broke out between protesters and CRPF as former poured on to the streets and staged anti-government demonstrations. The situation in Varmul town remained peaceful. A complete shutdown was observed in the town. Shops and businesses remained closed while vehicular transport also stayed off roads. Reports of shutdown also poured in from Sopur, Kupwara, Handwara, Ganderbal and Bandipora.
In south Kashmir’s Islamabad town, prohibitory order remained enforced in the old town while a shutdown was observed elsewhere.
Police and CRPF men were deployed in strength to stave off protests.
Sources said that in a crackdown on people who have taken part in recent protests, police has arrested at least 50 youth, most of which are in the age group of 15-20 years.
They said a number of youth have been charged with attempt to murder under Section 307 RPC.
In Pulwama and Kakpora towns in south Kashmir, the Hurriyat call evoked almost total response even as the situation remained peaceful. Shutdown was also observed in Shopian, Tral, Awantipora and Pampore.
During curfew relaxation at Pulwama and Kakpora heavy deployment of police and CRPF continued throughout the day.
Witnesses at Kakpora said that three youth roaming in the market were picked up by cops while movement of private transport on Kakpora-Galandhar road was thin as groups of youth placed barricades on the road near Samboora.

Hurriyat (G) to take out rally from Mazaar-e-Shuhada
Srinagar, July 12: The Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday said it would take out a rally to Martyrs’ graveyard at Iddgah.
A statement issued by Hurriyat secretary general, Masarat Alam Bhat, said that after paying tributes to Martyrs of July 13, 1931 at Mazaar-e-Shuhada, Naqshband Sahab at 11:00 am on Wednesday, a rally would be taken from there to martyrs’ graveyard Iddgah to pay homage and to show allegiance towards the mission of Martyrs.
In the statement, Alam condemned the curbs imposed by the government on local media and wrong portrayal of ongoing movement by New-Delhi based media houses.
Expressing solidarity with media fraternity, he said that media should play its role in bringing out truth.
Reiterating the protest programme, he said on July 14 and 15, the people should stage protest in the areas.
On July 16, he said after Friday prayers protests would be staged at district headquarters.
“People of Batamaloo should wear white clothes on the days and after Friday prayers they should participate in protests,” Bhat said.
Appealing people to make protest programme successful, he said that next programme would be announced on Saturday.
“We want to tell India that presence of troopers, oppression, killings of youth, curfew, flag marches by army, media curbs wouldn’t weaken resolve of this nation and by calling so- called all party meeting,” he said

Mehbooba Mufti Stand Lauded by Kashmiris
In a dramatic turnaround of events, Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday announced she will not attend the all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar to discuss the political crisis in Jammu and Kashmir and has urged the Prime Minister to “excuse” her.
“I am very thankful to the PM for calling me yesterday (Saturday). I have told PM that please excuse us from this meeting till something worthwhile is done from the highest level. I told this to Home Minister also who has also called yesterday,” said Mehbooba.
"It was very kind of the Prime Minister to call me. I have deep regard for the PM. He advised us to attend the meeting. But it was painful to convey my inability to attend the meeting," she said at a press conference in Srinagar.
The stand taken by Mehbooba Mufti is seen with a great surprise in Kashmir, as saying no to central level leadership has not been a facet that one could have associated with mainstream politicians of Kashmir. But breaking the tradition, Mehbooba seemed to echo the sentiments of masses and called for taking initiatives at higher level to solve present crisis.
“Mehbooba Mufti has taken a courageous step, she should continue to maintain pressure on Indian Government to solve Kashmir Dispute so that our sufferings come to end once for all”,said Kumail Ahmad, a commoner.
The realities of ground suggest that Mehbooba Mufti has taken a historical step and the pressure on Indian Government to solve decades old Kashmir Dispute is all time high, with even the mainstream icons like Mehbooba, whose party has an overwhelming representation in the rural Kashmir calling for political steps to solve the root causes of conflict.

Curfew Lifts In Most of Kashmir, But Strike Called
SRINAGAR, India — A rigid curfew was lifted from most of Kashmir on Sunday, but shops and businesses remained shut after separatists called for a strike to protest Indian rule in the Himalayan region.
Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in some areas of Srinagar, the main city in Indian Kashmir, and in two southern towns following clashes late Saturday between anti-India protesters and government forces, a police officer said Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The clampdown in Kashmir comes after street protests and clashes surged in the disputed region, and at least 15 people died over the past four weeks in shootings blamed on police and paramilitary soldiers.
The tension in the Himalayan region — divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both — was reminiscent of the late 1980s, when protests against Indian rule sparked an armed conflict that eventually killed more than 68,000 people, mostly civilians.
The tight curfew that started Wednesday was lifted late Friday for 24 hours to allow residents to celebrate a Muslim festival. It was reimposed after renewed clashes between protesters and troops Saturday.
On Sunday, thousands of government forces in riot gear and carrying assault rifles patrolled Srinagar's nearly deserted streets and enforced strict restrictions in the city's densely populated downtown area.
However, in other parts of Kashmir where the curfew was lifted, shops and businesses were closed and public transport was off the roads after the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, the region's main grouping of separatist parties, declared a strike. Some private vehicles, however, plied the streets.
None of the nearly 60 newspapers published from Srinagar hit the stands for a fourth day on Sunday.
Newspaper editors announced the suspension of their publications to protest against what they called the government's "curbs and the use of force against media persons," the Kashmir Press Guild said in a statement Saturday.
India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir. India accuses Pakistan of sending insurgents over the heavily militarized frontier to stir up trouble in Indian Kashmir and has blamed the current protests on Pakistan-based militants bent on destabilizing India, a charge Islamabad denies.
Kashmiri separatists are demanding independence from India or a merger with Pakistan.

Hurriyat (G) Announces New Protest Program
Srinagar, July 10: Continuing with its ‘quit Kashmir movement’ the Hurriyat (G) on Saturday announced a new program.
In a statement, party spokesman said a meeting was held under the conglomerate’s acting chairman, Ghulam Nabi Sumji. The meeting among others was participated by senior leaders Masarat Alam and Peer Saifullah. After the meeting the party gave a fresh calendar of protests. The program has been support by Dukhtaran-e-Millat.
The statement said there will be Hartal on Sunday to express solidarity with the youth and teenagers killed by police and CRPF. “On Monday, July 12 there will be civil curfew to express solidarity with the Kashmiri detainees lodged in various jails. On July 13, people should march to Mazar-e-Shauhda. On 14th and 15 July, peaceful protests should be held in respective localities. On July 16th, people should wear white clothes and stage protests after Friday prayers at the respective district headquarters. People of Srinagar should march to Batamaloo to express solidarity with the three persons including a woman killed in CRPF firing.

Kashmir unrest: All Eyes On PM Manmohan Singh
SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has repeatedly called for "out of the box" solutions to the Kashmir dispute. It seems now is the time for him to act. All eyes in Kashmir are set on Singh, hoping he will make a decisive intervention to improve the situation and bring dialogue back on track to find a lasting solution to the festering row. The need for his personal attention is all the more urgent as moderate separatists inch closer to hardliners, and mainstream political parties add further to the strife with their cacophony.
Though their motives are different, mainstream political parties and moderate separatists both believe that Singh must urgently intervene to salvage the situation, as Kashmir limps back to normalcy after weeks of violence that has added further to anti-India sentiments here. The calm could be temporary, as a host of protest marches by various separatist groups are on the cards in the coming days.
All Party Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told TOI that the need of the hour was "restoration of trust" and special efforts from the PM to bring back "credibility to the institution of dialogue".
Mirwaiz said they would not rejoin the dialogue process unless New Delhi took concrete measures to convince them that it was sincere. Among possible actions, he listed revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, freeing of political prisoners and some sort of demilitarisation. "Then only you can restore credibility to this institution," he said.
Mirwaiz pointed out that the inability to move forward on dialogue in the past few years, killing of people in firings, fake encounters and other unfortunate developments of recent times had put moderates on the back foot. "Honestly, today, dialogue is equated by a majority of Kashmiris to sellout," he said.
Opposition PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti too echoed the same line on Prime Minister's intervention. "At this point of time, we feel the situation on the ground demands there has to be a major initiative by the Prime Minister," Mehbooba told TOI. "Some kind of initiative to reach out to the public is a must for Kashmir situation to improve," she added.
The first aim of the PM's initiative must be to "defuse anger" and then to address the larger political issue of Kashmir. The PM could have made a gesture during the Shabi Meraj, the Muslim festival that was observed amid tension and curfew on Friday, she said. There was already a sense that New Delhi was not proactively pursuing Kashmir issue, Mehbooba said. All that has "shrunk" the space for mainstream political leaders in the Valley, she added.
While Mehbooba's demand for PM's intervention was indirectly meant against chief minister Omar Abdullah, even the latter seems to believe that New Delhi needs to wake up from its slumber to handle the Kashmir issue on a proactive basis. During the PM's recent visit to Kashmir, Omar told Singh about the need for immediate and proactive measures to negotiate for lasting peace. "We are going to get the government of India to understand that we need to look at some other mechanism other than just the round-table meetings," Omar said.

Curfew Reimposed In Parts of Kashmir, Farooq meets PC
SRINAGAR: Curfew was reimposed in Maisuma locality in Srinagar and later in Anantnag and Pulwama towns on Saturday after stone-pelting mobs clashed with security forces, authorities said.
"Miscreants resorted to stone pelting in Maisuma and in Anantnag and Pulwama during curfew relaxation. Curfew was reimposed at these places," a senior police officer said.
Markets remained closed and public buses did not ply in most parts of Srinagar city. However, people poured out of their homes to buy essential items and private transport plied on the roads.
Curfew was relaxed on Friday in the Kashmir Valley for an indefinite period to facilitate the celebration of the holy Muslim festival of Shab-e-Meraj (ascension of Prophet to heaven).
But it was not relaxed in Sopore and Kakpora towns for the fourth day on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, union minister Farooq Abdullah met home minister P Chidambaram and discussed the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley.
Abdullah, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and patron of the ruling National Conference in the state, discussed with Chidambaram the steps being taken by the Centre and state government to bring back normalcy in the state.
The four-day-old curfew was relaxed in the entire valley last night after a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to enable people offer special prayers overnight at the Hazratbal shrine for Shab-e-Mehraj, an important occasion on the religious calendar here.
Some protestors came out in the streets in Qamarwari, Naaz cinema, Nowhatta and Maisuma of the city this morning in but were chased away by the police. Restrictions were imposed in Maisuma after the protests.
People continued to throng the Hazratbal Shrine today to have a glimpse of a Holy Relic of Prophet Mohammed which is shown to people after every prayer after Shab-e-Mehraj (night of ascent). Nearly 4,000 people had gathered during the first prayer at the break of the dawn.
Shops and business establishments were open and traffic was plying normally in the city.
However, in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, curfew had to be imposed after a media report that one person had died in police firing, which was denied by authorities.
People started coming out on the streets despite administration announcing that the news was not correct. Before things could go out of hands, the authorities decided to impose curfew.
Kakapora area of Pulwama district had witnessed pitched battle between mobs and security personnel last evening which resulted in injuries to 16 security personnel and five civilians.
Local newspaper failed to hit the stands for the third day today despite authorities lifting restrictions on the movement of media persons in the wake of curfew in Srinagar and certain other parts of the valley and issued fresh curfew passes to them.
However, various media associations decided not to print any newspapers as they claimed that enough passes were not issued.
The last time the newspapers did not come out was in 2008 at the height of the Amarnath land agitation. Publication of dailies at that time was suspended for four days. Newspaper publication had also remained suspended for 40 days during elections in 1996.
Omar has convened an all-party meeting in Srinagar on Monday to discuss the present situation. PDP, the main opposition party, has decided to boycott it saying it was a "purposeless exercise".
"There is total distrust between the people and this government. So I don't think any purpose will be served by attending the meeting," PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti had said yesterday.
The invitation was extended to all 12 recognised political parties and groups by Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammed Sagar.
Curfew was clamped in Srinagar on Tuesday and army moved in to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order.

Situation Tense In Kashmir Valley
Saturday July 10 2010 12:00
Parts of valley have been again put under restrictions (Curfew) due to protest.  More details awaited

Protests at Hazratbal, several injured, Curfew reimposed in several Srinagar areas
Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:55:22 IST
Srinagar: Curfew was reimposed late Friday in several Srinagar areas, including areas around the Hazratbal shrine, when protests broke again on the eve of special prayers held on the occasion of Meraj-e-Alam.
Eyewitnesses said that scores of youth assembled around the Hazratbal shrine compound and started to hold protests and raise slogans against the firing on civilians at Kakpora, Varmul and Khwaja Bazar in Srinagar on Friday. Paramilitary CRPF swung into action and used force the disperse the protesters.
According to reports, chaotic scenes were witnessed at the site as the standoff between protesters and para military forces persisted in darkness. According to latest reports, curfew has been reimposed in the area. Details about the incident are being ascertained.

Omar loses his grip on govt as Valley burns, Clashes in Kashmir as curfew is relaxed , People stage protests at every opportunity
SRINAGAR: For the fourth consecutive day, Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley reeled under curfew, even as Muslims all over the world celebrated Shab-e-Meraj, one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. Scores of people were injured in clashes at several places, including Hazratbal where the shrine was locked after brief clashes on Friday.
Police have arrested one of the alleged culprits who talked over telephone to fuel protests
Friday prayers could not be offered in many mosques, particularly the central Jamia Masjid here. However, curfew was relaxed in the Valley by late evening in view of the holy day.
At least two persons were injured during the relaxation when police opened fire on protesters in Srinagar downtown. In Baramulla, a youth was injured as police opened fire to quell a demonstration.
In many other areas in the Valley too, the situation continued to be tense, with people staging protests at every opportunity. Since the killing of four persons in police firing on Tuesday, Srinagar has been under curfew.
Police allowed a group of locals to offer prayers at the Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad, but before the prayers began youth started shouting slogans and threw stones at police. Several policemen, including an inspector, were roughed up. This led to a brief clash, which forced the police to lock the shrine and re-impose curfew.

Hurriyat (Moderate) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has taken strong exception to not allowing the people to offer Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid and Hazratbal.
“This is a direct interference in our religious affairs and won't be tolerated,” a Hurriyat spokesman said in a statement. He expressed resentment over authorities preventing the Mirwaiz from discharging his religious duties. “He continues to be under house arrest,” the spokesman said.
People defied curfew and took to the streets at Samboora Pampore, Qazigund, Kokernag, Kakapora and Baramulla. Several people were injured in clashes as police used tear smoke shells and canes to disperse the mobs. Kupwara and Handwara in the north, Kakpora and Pulwama in south and Gandherbal in the east were placed under fresh curfew.
Following the leads from an intercepted telephone conversation played on major TV channels on Thursday, a police party tracked Shabir Ahmad Wani from HMT Narbal in Budgam district on the outskirts of Srinagar and arrested him. He had allegedly conversed with Ghulam Ahmad Dar of Nasrullahpora (Budgam), a key functionary of the Hurriyat Conference (Geelani), to aggravate protests and get people killed. Dar was not arrested yet.
 

Curfew lifted from Valley Till Saturday Evening.
Fri, 9 Jul 2010 19:30 IST
Srinagar: The Union Home Secretary G K Pillai has said that curfew has been lifted from the Kashmir Valley from Friday evening onwards.
“ Curfew has been relaxed in wake ofa festival at Hazratbal Shrine. Relaxation will continue till Saturday evening,” Pillai told state-run Doordarshan Kendra.

Kashmir Curfew Widens Amid Call For Friday Protests (AFP)
SRINAGAR, India — Indian security forces widened a curfew in Kashmir on Friday to contain violent protests over the killing of civilians as fresh attacks injured two policemen, officials said. "We have widened the curfew to ensure a violence-free Friday," a police officer, who declined to be named, told AFP. Towns such as Kupwara and Handwara in the north, Kakpora and Pulwama in south and Gandherbal in the east were placed under fresh curfew. Violent flashpoints such as Sopore, Srinagar and Anantnag remain restricted. In Sopore, suspected militants launched three gun and grenade attacks on security forces Friday that left a policeman and a paramilitary trooper injured, a police spokesman said. Indian police and paramilitary forces, who have been struggling to control the wave of protests in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, have been accused of killing 15 civilians in less than a month. Each death has sparked a new cycle of violence since the first killing of a 17-year old student by a police teargas shell during protests June 11 in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. Hardline separatists urged residents to march to the region's revered Muslim shrine of Hazratbal in Srinagar on Friday. Two men and a woman were killed in the city on Tuesday. "Whenever the curfew is relaxed in any of the areas, people are requested to come out on the streets and continue with a peaceful sit-in," a statement by hardliners said. Police had sealed all the roads leading to Hazratbal, but residents said dozens of locals prayed inside the lake-side mosque and later held noisy anti-government demonstrations. The Jamia Masjid, the main mosque in Srinagar, was among the many mosques worshippers were unable to attend for Friday prayers. The army was called in on Wednesday in Srinagar after residents defied curfew restrictions and held protests. Their presence brought calm to the streets. In northern Palhalan town, thousands of residents marched on the main road chanting "Blood for Blood!" and "We Want Freedom," witnesses said. No local newspapers hit the stands for the second day running amid tight restrictions on the local and international media. Fresh passes allowing journalists to travel in Srinagar despite the curfew were issued Friday. "Due to the curbs imposed by the government on media, Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Uzma could not bring out their print editions for second consecutive day, Friday," said the website of the two leading local newspapers. The state's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, under pressure to contain the violence, held a meeting with top police and intelligence officials on Friday, a police source said. Top leaders in the ruling Congress party also met in New Delhi to be briefed by Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Press Trust of Indian news agency reported. Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan each hold Kashmir in part but claim it in full. They have fought two of their three wars over the region since the subcontinent's partition in 1947.

Valley Based Newspapers Suspend Publication Editors Ridicule Govt’s Claim of Lifting Curbs On Media
Fri, 9 Jul 2010 16:00 IST
Srinagar: Editors of Valley based newspapers on Friday ridiculed the government claim that it had lifted curbs on the local media. They decided to suspend the publication of newspapers till authorities issue sufficient number of curfew passes for the staff members and distributors. “Earlier the government used to impose undeclared curfew now it has imposed undeclared ban on the media,” said, noted cartoonist and the Managing Editor of leading Urdu daily Srinagar Times. He said that in the morning various Valley based newspapers received phone calls from the state’s Information department that local dailies can resume publication and they can collect new curfew passes but they remained non committal about the number of passes to be issued. “All the newspaper offices were sent handful of passes. Newspaper office is an industry and editor only cannot run it. We need passes for reporters, sub-editors, layout designers, hawkers and distributors. Few passes won’t serve any purpose,” he added. Bashir said that Editors of various local dailies deliberated upon the issue and they unanimously decided to suspend the publication of newspapers till sufficient number of passes are issued. “We also want to seek the assurance from the government that distributors and hawkers will be allowed to distribute the newspapers,” he added.

Demonstrations Rock Pampore & Pulwama Police, CRPF Fire In Air, Lob Tear Gas Shells
Fri, 9 Jul 2010 16:10 IST
Srinagar: A large number of people today staged protest demonstrations at Samboora Pampore while marching towards Kakapora in Pulwama. Police, however, used force at Kakpora to disperse them. According to reports, a large number of people assembled at Samboora this afternoon and protested the civilian killings and the on-going security siege on Kashmir. Raising pro-freedom slogans, the protesters were challenged by police and paramilitary forces at Kakpora, and lobbed tear gas shells and fired in air to disperse the protesters. As the news about the incident spread, women from surrounding areas joined the protest. Further details are awaited.

Fuel Supply To Valley Suspended Again
Fri, 9 Jul 2010 13:17 IST
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Oil Tankers Association has once again suspended fuel supply to Valley alleging attacks on tanker drivers by some miscreants on Srinagar-Jammu highway. The Association, held an emergency meeting here on Friday, to discuss the security concerns shown by the drivers plying their vehicle on the route, Anand Sharma, president of the Association told Greater Kashmir. He said that despite assurances by the government, some of the drivers were attacked by unidentified persons near Sumbal on Wednesday. “We have decided not to ply our vehicles on the route till situation improves”, he added. Hundreds of Kashmir-bound fuel tankers, which were scheduled to leave for the valley today, were stranded at oil depots in Jammu. Pertinently this is the second time during the last few days that the Association has suspended the fuel supply to Valley. Earlier, on June 30 the Association had announced indefinite strike after soe drivers were allegedly injured in stone-pelting. However, the call was withdrawn on the same day after assurances and payment of compensation from the state government.

Police Arrest 60 Anti-India Protesters In Kashmir (AP)
SRINAGAR, India — Government forces arrested over 60 suspected separatist activists across Indian Kashmir in an attempt to stem deadly civil unrest that has continued despite a curfew that was in its third day, police said Friday. The arrests, carried out during overnight raids by police and paramilitary soldiers, were designed to put a lid on nearly three weeks of violent anti-India protests in which at least 15 people have died. Residents blame security forces for the deaths. At least 30 separatist activists who had participated in recent street demonstrations were arrested in Anantnag, 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Srinagar, the main city in Indian Kashmir, said a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media. He said at least 30 others were arrested in Srinagar and other towns in Kashmir. Tens of thousands of troops patrolled the region's streets, while shops and schools were closed. Streets ringed with barbed wire were deserted, and the region's nearly 60 newspapers were unable to publish for a second day Friday. Despite the curfew, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella organization of separatist groups, called for more protests. The tension in the Himalayan region — divided between India and Pakistan — was reminiscent of the late 1980s, when protests against Indian rule sparked an armed conflict that has killed more than 68,000 people, mostly civilians, over the past two decades. The government's decision to send the army to quell the recent protests was intended to prevent them from spiraling out of control and igniting another insurgency. The Indian army is ubiquitous in Kashmir, but its operations are usually aimed at combating insurgents and it has not been used in crowd control since major street protests in 1990. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the region. India regularly accuses Pakistan of sending insurgents over the heavily militarized frontier to stir trouble and has blamed the recent protests on Pakistan-based militants bent on destabilizing India, a charge Islamabad denies. Kashmiri separatists are demanding independence from Hindu-majority India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan.

2 Pedestrians Knocked To Death
Fri, 9 Jul 2010 16:05 IST
Banihal, July 8: At least two pedestrian were knocked to death by a fast moving vehicle, carrying Amarnath pilgrims, near Ramsu in Ramban district on Friday morning. Official sources said that the vehicle fled from the spot after hitting the pedestrians. One of them died on the spot, while another succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital. Police said that it had noted the registration number of the vehicle and efforts were on to arrest the driver.

Kashmir Streets Remain Under Army Lockdown
Tens of thousands of Indian soldiers are patrolling the streets of Indian-controlled Kashmir for a second day, enforcing a rigid curfew aimed at ending weeks of violent protests.
Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram appealed Thursday for parents in the region to keep their teenage sons indoors after 16 people were killed in anti-India demonstrations in recent weeks.
Chidambaram said it is important that people do not come into the streets and start throwing stones. He added the Indian army will be in Kashmir as long as necessary.
The army was deployed to the volatile region for the first time in two decades Wednesday to help police and paramilitary troops enforce the curfew.
Shops and schools were closed Thursday, and authorities canceled curfew passes for journalists. Hundreds of doctors and other staff at a government hospital in Srinagar protested the restrictions before being dispersed by police.
Despite the curfew, separatist leaders called for more protests and said the military measures will not be able to "break the will of the people."
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan. Muslim insurgents in Indian Kashmir have been fighting for independence from India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan for more than 20 years.
The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought two wars over the Himalayan region.

Hurriyat (G) Calls For Dargah Chalo Today
Srinagar, July 8: The Hurriyat Conference (G) has asked the people to march towards Dargah Hazratbal for night prayers on Friday evening in connection with Meraj Alam, a spokesman of the conglomerate said in a statement.
“Protests will continue throughout the night and Qanoot e Nazilla will be offered in each congressional prayers on Saturday,” he said.
“Whenever curfew will be relaxed in any of the areas people are requested to come out on streets and continue with peaceful sit-in as per already announced program,” the spokesman added.
 

No Newspaper Published In Valley
SAFMA condemns curbs
Srinagar, July 8: None of the Valley based newspapers could hit the stands on Thursday as government restricted the movement of scribes and other staff members of various news organizations.
The state government had cancelled curfew passes of media persons on Wednesday with police and paramilitary CRPF troopers enforcing curfew strictly at Press Enclave here.
The last time newspapers did not come out was in 2008, during Governor’s rule.
The India chapter of the South Asia media commission has expressed anguish over the curbs and asked authorities to restore normal functioning of journalists in the Valley forthwith.
"The restrictions of the type announced yesterday will only prove counter-productive. As we know from our experience of the emergency period, it will not serve any useful purpose either in the immediate or long-term context," Chairperson of the India chapter of South Asia commission K K Katyal said in a statement.
Expressing distress over reports of attacks on media services, he said, "Right now the gap in the free media functioning may be filled by vested interests through rumour mongering. Later, those perceived to be responsible for the decision will be politically damaged."
The media commission has been set up at the initiative of South Asian Free Media Association, SAFMA, to highlight restrictions on the media and other instances of high-handedness as also to monitor the content of its products.
 

Pro-Freedom Protests Rock North, Central Kashmir
Srinagar, July 8: Protests erupted in various parts of north and central Kashmir on Thursday, a local news agency KNS said.
It said hundreds of people from Palhalan area in north Kashmir’s Varmul district took to streets and staged massive pro-freedom protests.
As soon as the demonstrators reached on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway, paramilitary CRPF troopers and the policemen fired teargas shells to quell the protesters, who retaliated wit stones triggering clashes that continued for nearly an hour.
Protests also erupted in neighboring Goshbug village this afternoon where people deified the curfew and staged demonstrations after rumors spread that a youth injured in police action yesterday had succumbed to injuries at the Srinagar hospital.
Irshad Ahmad, son of, Muhammad Razak Dar and Sajad Ahmad, son of late Ghulam Muhammad Yatoo were injured yesterday when the CRPF and the police used force to quell pro-freedom demonstrations in the area.
Protests against the recent spate of killings in the Valley were also held in interior areas of Sheeri, Khwaja Bagh, and some areas of the old town Varmul.
Ganderbal
In Ganderbal district, at least six persons were injured when paramilitary CRPF troopers and policemen fired numerous tear smoke canisters and resorted to baton charge to disperse demonstrators in Kurhama area.
Budgam
In central Kashmir’s Budgam district, senior Hurriyat Conference (M) leader; Aga Syed Hassan led a procession of hundreds of people from Imam Bara to main chowk. The protesters staged a sit-in in the main chowk before dispersing off peacefully.
Qazi Yasir held
Reports from south Kashmir’s Islamabad district said that police arrested Mirwaiz south Kashmir Qazi Yasir and 20 other youth from Islamabad town on Thursday.
 

Police ' Indifferent ' Towards Woes Of People
Srinagar, July 8: Imaad Manzoor, a 15 month old kid, son of Manzoor Ahmad Laigroo, from uptown locality of Ibrahim Colony, Hyderpora today had a providential escape as policemen on duty at PS Sadder denied permission and help to his father in reaching to child specialist in Magarmalbagh.
At sadder PS Laigroo was told curtly that he could proceed ahead at his own risk and responsibility. On reaching Rambagh Bridge Laigroo was stopped by an officer of JK Police and not allowed to move ahead. Laigroo after pleading strongly and showing him the deteriorating respiratory distress of the ailing child was allowed to move towards Magarmalbagh with the warning that he should not return home using the same route by the insensitive officer.
Next he encountered a posse of JK Police near Police Station Shergarhi who again tried to discourage him from going ahead. However he was let go only on intervention by a CRPF officer.
On reaching Magarmalbagh crossing the worried parent carrying the child encountered a posse of CRPF men. Contrary to how Kashmir Police officials dealt with him the CRPF officer on the spot offered Laigroo help and ordered two cops to accompany him to nearby Pediatric Clinic of Dr Javaid Chowdry were the ailing kid was nebulized and resuscitated.
The doctor, according to the family, told them that had there been more delay in getting medical help it would have been quite dangerous for the kid. After getting his ailing child treated Manzoor called his elder brother, G A Laigroo of Kashmir Traders Federation to share with him his harrowing experience to seek his help in reaching back home.
The senior Laigroo then called two Advisors of the Chief Minister and MLA Amira Kadal Nasir Sogami. He also apprised Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Meraj Ahmed Kakroo about what his brother had faced.
The Deputy Commissioner subsequently passed on circular instructions to all the police formation in the city regarding dealing with people needing medical aid.

Kashmir streets under army lockdown to end protest By Aijaz Hussain (AP)
SRINAGAR, India — Tens of thousands of soldiers patrolled the streets in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Thursday to enforce a rigid curfew aimed at ending weeks of violent anti-government protests.
Shops and schools were closed, streets ringed with barbed wire were deserted, the region's nearly 60 newspapers were unable to publish and even residents with special curfew passes were barred from going outside.
Despite the curfew, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella organization of separatist groups, issued a statement calling for more protests, saying, "Military measures will in no way be able to break the will of the people."
The tension in the Himalayan region — divided between India and Pakistan — was reminiscent of the late 1980s, when protests against Indian rule sparked an armed conflict that eventually killed more than 68,000 people, mostly civilians.
Residents say security forces have killed 15 people in the recent protests. The government's decision to send the army to quell the protests was intended to prevent them from spiraling out of control and igniting another insurgency.
"The army will be deployed as long as it is necessary, but I sincerely hope it will not be necessary for too long," Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said.
He appealed to residents to observe the curfew and to parents to keep their teenage sons — who have been at the forefront of some of the violent protests — indoors.
"It is important that people do not come into the street and start stone pelting," he said.
Indian army soldiers in armored vehicles and carrying assault rifles and machine guns drove Thursday through neighborhoods in Srinagar, the main city, in a show of force.
Col. Vineet Sood, an Indian army spokesman, said the soldiers were giving support to the local forces. "We are ready to move anywhere, anytime," he said.
However, there were risks that using the army — instead of the police and paramilitary troops that usually deal with civil unrest — could further inflame residents, who accuse the military of being a brutal occupying force.
"The army has always been India's first and last resort in handling Kashmir," Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key separatist leader, said in a statement. "Its ever-increasing presence in the state, whether in the barracks or on the streets, has been intended to consolidate its control over the territory and to intimidate people."
The Indian army is ubiquitous in Kashmir, but its operations are usually aimed at combating insurgents and it has not been used in crowd control since major street protests in 1990.
India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the region. India regularly accuses Pakistan of sending insurgents over the heavily militarized frontier to stir trouble and has blamed the recent protests on Pakistani-based militants bent on destabilizing India, a charge Pakistan denies. Kashmiri separatists are demanding independence from Hindu-majority India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan.
Even with the curfew in force, hundreds of doctors and other employees at the S.K. Institute of Medical Sciences, a government hospital in Srinagar, held a protest inside their compound, denouncing the restrictions and chanting anti-India slogans. Police and paramilitary troops later dispersed them, a police officer said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.
On Wednesday night, thousands of protesters defied the restrictions and held street protests for several hours. Pro-independence songs rang out overnight from the public address systems of several mosques, as they had in the months before the insurgency broke out two decades ago. Troops did not intervene and no clashes broke out.
With authorities canceling curfew passes given to journalists, none of nearly 60 newspapers published from Srinagar hit the stands Thursday. Many reporters spent the night in their offices.
"Not allowing media persons to move and cover the situation is tantamount to banning the media," the Press Guild of Kashmir said, denouncing "curbs and the use of force against media persons."

Curfew may be relaxed tomorrow - PTI
Thu, 8 Jul 2010 18:10 IST
Srinagar: Authorities are likely to relax curfew for a few hours on Friday and on Saturday to allow people to participate congregational prayers.
Sources said curfew would be relaxed for a few hours in the valley ahead of Friday prayers.
Again Saturday is important because of 'Meraj Alam', another significant day in Muslim calender, and curfew would be relaxed for people to participate in prayers.

Curfew continues in Srinagar
Thu, 8 Jul 2010 12:09:48 IST
Srinagar: Curfew continued in Srinagar and many other major towns of the Kashmir Valley for the second consecutive day on Thursday.
“The situation is under control even though late in the evening there were some protests mostly in Masjids in some localities,” police said.
In Bemina and Tengpora area police used tear smoke to disperse protesters.
SKIMS docs stage protest
Thu, 8 Jul 2010 12:12:52 IST
Srinagar: Doctors and faculty members of the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) staged a protest against the recent killings in the Valley here on Thursday.
Doctors assembled in SKIMS compound and staged a sit-in. They were demanding stern action against the erring paramilitary CRPF troopers and policemen involved in the recent killings and end to human rights violations.

Valley Clam - In Presence of Heavy Army
Valley remained clam, with presence of heavy army. A day after four civilians were killed in police and CRPF firing on protesters here, an eerie calm prevailed as government clamped strictest curfew across the summer capital even as army staged a flag march in the civil line areas of the city. Curfew was also imposed in Islamabad, Pampore, Pulwama, Kulgam, Qoimoh, Kupwara, and Bandipore. Police and paramilitary CRPF in riot gear were deployed in strength across the old city and uptown areas of the city. They didn’t allow any civilian movement forcing people to stay indoors. Forces had blocked the roads overnight by erecting steel barricades, laying spools of razor wire, and stationing armoured vehicles at several important crossings. The restrictions were so severe that essential services, mainly health services, were badly hit. Doctors and para-medical staff couldn’t reach to the hospitals. Government cancelled the curfew passes it had issued last week. In uptown areas, 17 columns of Army conducted flag marches during the day. Army convoys passed through many areas including Hyderpora, Humhama onAirport road, Lal Chowk, Batamaloo, Bemina, and Qamarwari. During the day, protests broke out at Gangbugh, and Tengpora localities of Batamaloo where three persons, including a 24-year girl, were killed in police and CRPF firing on Tuesday. Locals, defying curfew, poured onto streets and staged anti-police and anti-CRPF protests. They tried to march towards city centre Lal Chowk. However, police intervened and held them back saying army was conducting a flag march in the area and they can open fire. Evening protests In the evening, protests erupted in several areas of the city including Bemina, Batamaloo, Fateh Kadal, and Rajouri Kadal. Police lobbed teargas shells and fired several rounds of fire in air to disperse protesters at Bemina. People of many downtown areas said that forces didn’t allow them to offer prayers in Masjids, especially those situated along the main roads. CRPF personnel beat up two persons severely at Nai Sarak, Habba Kadal after they came out of their homes. The duo was shifted to hospital in a critical condition. Altaf Baba adds from Varmul Situation remained peaceful in north Kashmir’s Varmul town on Wednesday. However, following the Hurriyat Conference (G)’s call for staging protests on the roads, people from old town marched towards the main chowk Varmul and staged a peaceful demonstration. Protests erupted in Sheeri and Palahan, Pattan areas of the district. People staged demonstrations against the spate of killings in the Valley. At Palhalan, police lobbed teargas shells and firing warning shots in air to disperse the protesters. Curfew also remained imposed in neighbouring Sopur town with reports of mild protests. Khalid Gul adds from Islamabad Curfew remained imposed in the Islamabad town for the ninth running day on Wednesday. Protesters erupted at Nayan, Sangam in Islamabad where five persons were injured. Witnesses said people came out on roads and protested the civilian killings at the hands of police and CRPF. Police tried to disperse the protesters by baton charging them. However, they offered stiff resistance and hurled stones on them. They later fired tear smoke canisters and live ammunition to disperse the protesters. Five persons, one of them seriously, were injured in the police action. Curfew remained imposed in neighbouring Kulgam and Qoimoh towns in Kulgam district. Shahid Rafiq adds from Kupwara Amidst curfew, protests erupted in Trehgam, Wadipora, and Magam areas in frontier district of Kupwara. People, including young men and women, took to streets and staged massive pro-freedom demonstrations. The protesters were demanding action against the troopers involved in the killings. Sheikh Nazir adds from Ganderbal In Ganderbal and Lar tehsils, Police resorted to lathicharge and fired tear smoke shells in air to disperse protesters at Saloora and Kurhama triggering stone pelting. Protests were also held in Safapora, Larsun and Dangarpora however police chased the protesters away. Two persons were injured in these clashes. In Kangan, authorities imposed section 144 with strict restriction in the town. There were complete restrictions on public movement in market places however only yatra vehicles were allowed to move . Tariq Mir adds from Bandipore Hundreds of people defied the restrictions and held protest demonstrations at many places in north Kashmir’s Bandipore district demanding action against erring troopers involved in recent killings. Fearing protests against the killings the government had clamped an indefinite curfew in most districts in the valley including Bandipore since Wednesday morning. Heavy contingent of police and paramilitary CRPF troopers were deployed in Sumbal, Hajin, Naidkhi, Aloosa, Ashtangoo, Papchan, Kaloosa, Watapora and other areas to keep the situation under control. Police had erected barricades and spools of concertina wire on roads at various places to restrict civilian and vehicular movement. The armoured vehicles and troopers were patrolling on the deserted roads. However, defying restrictions youth took to streets this morning at many places including Hajin, Madvan, Naidkhi and other adjoining villages of Hajin localities raising pro-freedom slogans and were demanding ction against killers involved in recent killings. The protestors were dispersed by the Army personnel who were patrolling on the roads.

Bloodbath: 4 killed in Srinagar Violent Protests Rock City, Curfew Clamped GOWHAR BHAT Smaller Default Larger (06 July 2010)
Srinagar, July 6: In the latest spate of killings by police and paramilitary CRPF in Kashmir, four persons, including a young woman, were dropped dead and around hundred persons including policemen and media persons injured in the summer capital on Tuesday. As the situation deteriorated fast in and around the Srinagar city, authorities clamped indefinite curfew across the summer capital. It all started at Gangbugh locality in Batamaloo, where massive protests broke out today against the death of a young boy in the CRPF custody Monday. Witnesses said the youth, Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, 17 son of Ghulam Muhammad Bhat of Tengpora, By-pass went missing last evening when CRPF were chasing away a group of young boys after mild protests and stone-pelting in the area. “The family and the neighbours of the youth looked for him till midnight while the protests continued till late night,” witnesses said. “The boy was picked up by CRPF and beaten to death. His body was disposed off by troopers near the Gangbugh stream during the night,” they said. Police, however, claimed that he drowned into the stream when paramilitary troopers were chasing away a group of youth. In the morning, as locals came to know about the incident, they spilled out onto the streets and staged massive protests. The angry protesters pelted stones on police and paramilitary troopers. Police caned protesters; lobbed tear-smoke canisters and opened fire on the mourners carrying the coffin of Muzaffar for funeral prayers. A bullet hit a civilian in his throat and he died on the spot. The deceased was identified as Fayaz Ahmad Wani, son of Nazir Ahmad Wani of Tengpora. Several other persons, including 12 photojournalists, were injured in the police action. Violent clashes broke out between the protesters and forces. Policemen and CRPF troopers ran amuck and indiscriminately beat up mourners carrying the coffins of the two youth, forcing them to leave the coffins on the road. The forces repeatedly fired dozens of tear smoke canisters and several rounds of live ammunition in the air to scare away the defiant protesters. Hundreds of people, including several pro-freedom leaders, took part in the funeral prayers of the two youth.
WOMEN KILLED AT BATAMALOO In the afternoon, bullet hit a woman in the Dandarkha locality in Batamaloo. Witnesses said Fancy Jan, 25 daughter of Abdul Rahman of Dandarkha was standing near a window of her house when a bullet hit her in the chest. She died on the spot, witnesses said. Enraged over the unabated killings, entire Batamaloo erupted in massive protests. Carrying the coffin of the women, hundreds of people, shouting pro-freedom, anti-police and anti-CRPF slogans, started marching towards Lal Chowk. However, police lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to aerial firing to intercept the procession. The procession turned back from Magarmal Bagh towards Batamaloo, where police again used force on the mourners before the funeral prayers of the deceased lady were offered at the local graveyard.
1 KILLED, 1 INJURED AT MAISUMA At Maisuma, police opened fire on a group of mourners protesting the killing of Fayaz Ahmad Wani at Batamaloo. Wani was originally a resident of Maisuma and had shifted to Gangbugh. In the police firing, a 16-year-old boy, Abrar Ahmad Khan, son of Ghulam Ahmad Khan of Maisuma died on the spot while another youth Owais Ahmad alias Mandela of Maisuma was critically wounded. He was shifted to SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura. Medical Superintendent, SKIMS, Dr Syed Amin Tabish, told Greater Kashmir that his condition was critical and he had bullet injury in his chest. Hundreds of men, young and old participated in the funeral prayers of Abrar near Ahli-hadees Masjid at Gaw Kadal. His body was later laid to rest at Martyrs’ graveyard at Dalgate.
WIDE-SPREAD PROTESTS Protests also broke out across various localities in downtown and uptown areas of Srinagar including Ram Bagh, Safa Kadal, Magarmal Bagh, Hari Singh High Street, Bemina, Qamarwari, Nowpora, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Fateh Kadal, Tatoo Ground, Sonawar and Lal Bazaar. The protesters at Rambagh torched a VIP Ambassador vehicle, JK02AE-1655 and also damaged vehicle of a Commissioner Secretary passing through the area. Late in the evening, hundreds of people, mostly women, came out on the streets in the uptown areas including Chanapora, Natipora, Batamaloo and several other localities. They staged demonstrations and blocked the roads to protest the killings. Protests were also held in mosques as people raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans from loud- speakers. To avenge the stone-pelting on them, CRPF troopers entered into the lanes and by lanes of many localities of Batamaloo, Gow Kadal, Chattabal, Khanyar hurled stones on the residential houses smashing the window panes. They also beat-up a number of pedestrians.
MLA’S HOUSE ATTACKED Angry mourners attacked and attempted to set ablaze house of MLA Batamaloo, Irfan Shah. A guardroom outside his residence was damaged in the fire. Fire tenders were rushed to the area to douse the fire. However, police and CRPF men fired scores of tear smoke canisters and also fired live ammunition to interrupt the procession.
CURFEW IMPOSED The district administration here imposed curfew in the summer capital in view of the killings and widespread protests. According to an order issued by District Magistrate, Srinagar, curfew has been imposed in district Srinagar, from 4 pm Tuesday till further orders. “This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure and in view of the apprehension of breach of peace and tranquillity and damage to life and property. Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar has been directed to implement curfew in letter and spirit,” a statement issued here said. Police and many government vehicles were patrolling the city announcing imposition of curfew in the district over loud speakers.
KHALID GUL ADDS FROM ISLAMABAD Curfew in this South Kashmir township continued for the seventh consecutive day even as a police official was critically injured early in the morning. Early in the morning when a police contingent was being deployed around Mattan Chowk area in the town, youth pelted stones from one of the lanes injuring two police personnel including a Sub-Inspector (Armed), Abdul Majeed. “Majeed sustained critical injuries when a brick hit him on the face. He was referred to the hospital in a critical condition,” police sources said. Later, more contingents of paramilitary and police personnel were rushed to the spot and strict curfew was re-imposed and even lanes and bylanes were blocked. “The government is prolonging the curfew so that people may get exhausted but it will further strengthen our resolve to bring the culprits involved in the cold blooded murder of three teenagers to book,” said the residents of Anchidora. Curfew was imposed in the town on June 29 following the alleged cold blooded murder of three teenagers in Anchidora and was relaxed for two hours from on Sunday but was enforced immediately after violence erupted again. Meanwhile, shutdown and protests were witnessed in the adjoining areas of the town including Mattan, Bijbehara, Dooru and Achabal. Strict restrictions were enforced in the neighboring districts of Kulgam following violent clashes between the protesters and the police while Qaimoh curfew was enforced again. Reports of shutdown and clashes were also reported from Shopian, Tral and Pampore while in Pulwama and Kakapora curfew continued for the sixth straight day.
15 KILLED SINCE JUNE 11 With the four civilian killings on Tuesday, the death toll of killings in the recent weeks has reached 15. There have been 11 killings in the month of June. The recent spate of killings at the hands of police and CRPF started on June 11, with the killing of teenager Tufail Ahmad Mattoo of Safakadal.
POLICE VERSION Meanwhile, a police spokesman said: “Although the situation remained normal in most districts of the Kashmir Valley. Srinagar city witnessed number of heavy stone pelting incidents from different localities in South, West and East Zone. In its effort to check these violent protests, police and CRPF had to resort to tear smoke shelling and use of force.” “The police guard room at the residence of MLA Batamaloo was burnt by the miscreants. Two Government vehicles were also torched. Following these violent incidents section 144 CrPC, curfew has been imposed in Srinagar District.” “A woman Fancy daughter of Abdul Rehman Guru resident of Lachmanpora, Batamaloo was hit by a stray bullet when police and security forces had to fire in air while dealing with huge number of stone pelters at Lachmanpora Batamaloo. The girl was watching from the window of her house,” he said. “The other two killed have been identified as Abrar Ahmad Khan son of Ghulam Ahmad resident of Maisuma and Fayaz Ahmad Wani son of Late Nazir Ahmad resident of Gungbugh,” spokesman added. “The forces had to resort to use of force in self defense as the unruly mobs did not relent to repeated requests for t retreat followed by tear smoke shelling at Gangbug and Maisuma,” he claimed.

Violent Protests Across Kashmir Valley (More Deaths / Killings Feared)
Violent Protest have started at almost every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley. Local administration is trying out all possible forces to quell the protest, but situation is getting worsted with every killing. Un-Conformed sources have stated more killing in sopore as well other areas. Authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar . “Police vehicles are making announcements in city centre Lal Chowk that curfew has been enforced,” witnesses said. Police vehicles are asking people to stay indoors, they added.

More Casualties In Valley.
Un-conform reports state the 3-5 More deaths as well dozens serious injuries are expected from the valley. Violent clashes broke out between police and mourners here when police resorted to aerial firing to disperse the funeral procession of the two Batmaloo youth killed in CPRF action, witnesses said.
They said hundreds of youth carrying the bodies of Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat and Fayaz Ahmed killed in CRPF action tried marching towards the Martyrs graveyard at Eidgah in old city. However, police and paramilitary CRPF troopers deployed there fired numerous tear smoke canisters and resorted to aerial firing to disperse the protesters, who retaliated with stones triggering clashes. The youth were fighting pitched battles with police when this report was filed.

Valley on BOIL
The whole valley is on Boil. As the news about the latest killings spread, the protests across whole valley had stated. The most effected areas are down town , Batamalo, Sopore, Baramulla, Bandipora. Curfew have been re-imposed in several places, but many places have witnessed heavy protests as well pitch battle between angry youth and security forces.

One More Killed In Srinagar (02 Since 24 Hours) City On Boil
6th July 10:00 IST
Blood bath continues in Valley. One more person was killed by security forces in Srinagar (Batamaloo / Tengpora) talking the toll to two (02) since last 24 Hours. Barely a few hours after paramilitary CRPF troopers chased the youth, Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, to death, another youth, Fayaz Ahmed, participating in the funeral prayers of Bhat, fell to the CRPF bullets this morning, witnesses said.
They said troopers fired upon the mourners near Tengpora bye-pass chowk killing Fayaz on the spot. Massive protests were on Batmaloo area when this report was filed.
Dozen's of photojournalists were injured when police and paramilitary CRPF troopers beat them up in Batmaloo area on Tuesday morning.
“We were discharging our professional duties when police and CRPF opened fire on the mourners and started beating the photo journalists present there,” one of the injured lensman told.“ We were beaten in presence of top police and CRPF officers,” he added.

CRPF Troopers Chase Youth To Death

Massive protests on in Batmaloo
Srinagar: Police recovered the body of Batmaloo youth, Muzaffar Ahmed Bhat, from Gangbugh Nallah on late Monday night, sources said.
They said the deceased, along with three others, was chased by the paramilitary CRPF troopers after the group allegedly pelted stones on the cavalcade of the Minister of state for Housing, Nasir Aslam Wani in Batmaloo area late this evening. “ Youth had jumped into Gangbugh nallah to save themselves from the CRPF men. Three of them managed to swim across, while Muzaffar drowned,” sources added.
As the word about the incident spread in the area hundreds of people took to the roads and staged massive protests. “Police is asking the people to perform the last rites of the youth quickly, while locals want to give him a decent burial in the morning” sources added.
Hundreds people were staging massive pro-freedom protests in Batmaloo and other adjoining areas when this report was filed.

Youth Injured In CRPF Firing
Srinagar, July 5: A youth was wounded in CRPF firing this evening in the old city area of Fateh Kadal here. Witnesses said massive protests rocked the locality when the police and CRPF deployment was withdrawn in the evening. The protesters pelted stones on forces who responded by firing live ammunition at them.
“A bullet hit a boy identified as Muhammad Amir Khan son of Muhammad Yousuf Khan of Fateh Kadal. The bullet hit his leg,” witnesses said. He was rushed to SMHS hospital. Evening protests also rocked many localities in the downtown and uptown areas of the city including Gojwara, Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Nawab Bazar, Khanyar, Rambagh, Natipora, Tengpora by-pass.
 Residents of Gojwara said police and CRPF men beat up civilians without any provocation in the evening. “They didn’t even spare women and children,” a resident of Mohalla Akhoon Sahab told Greater Kashmir.

Hurriyat (G) Asks Students To Protest Today
Srinagar, July 5: Calling for students’ protests on Tuesday, the Hurriyat Conference (G) has appealed people to make ‘Quit Kashmir Movement’ successful by adhering to its resistance calendar.
In a statement today, a spokesman of the Hurriyat urged people to hold protests on July 6, Tuesday, against imposition of curfew and other restrictions on people’s movement in the Valley. “The students- boys and girls- of all educational institutions should come on streets in uniforms along with their books on Tuesday and protest separately against Indian control in Jammu & Kashmir, while other people should organize protest dharnas and special prayers including Qanoot-e-Nazila,” the spokesman said.
He said people should come on streets and hold protests from morning to evening prayers on July 7 and 8. “On July 9, Friday, people will organize and take out large processions from all central places and Hurriyat leaders will address public meetings at different places,” he said.
Hurriyat has appealed people to establish Bait-ul-Maal (charities) in all localities and deposit Rs 50 cash and 2 Kg rice with Imams of local Masjids ‘to continue the ongoing freedom movement without any difficulty.’
The spokesman has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of ‘over 1000 youth’ by the police and other armed forces across the Valley for the past some days. “These youth have been lodged in different police stations, interrogation centres, jails and army camps,” he said. He warned of serious consequences if they were not released soon.
The spokesman also condemned firing on a public protest at Watargam in Varmul district of north Kashmir. “Dozens of civilians were injured in the firing,” he said, praying for speedy recovery of the injured.
The spokesman claimed that people took out protest processions at various places despite curfew and others restrictions.
Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and Muslim League have strongly condemned the imposition of curfew and other restrictions by the state administration to prevent people from participating in Islamabad Chalo programme, terming it government’s frustration.
The Tehreek acting General Secretary Muhammad Yousuf Falahi has termed as ‘eyewash and fraud’ the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s appeal to civil society for support and cooperation to administration in restoring peace and taking up the issues of Kashmir resolution and revocation of AFSPA with the Central government.

No strike today, Islamabad Chalo on Monday:Hurriyat (G)

Srinagar, July 3: The Hurriyat Conference (G) on Saturday issued a fresh protest program for next 6-days as a part of its ‘Quit Kashmir” movement against the recent killings by paramilitary CRPF and police in the Valley.
A spokesman of Hurriyat (G) in a statement said after a marathon meeting of its constituents here, it was decided that there would be no hartal on Sunday. However, the conglomerate has asked the people to hoist black flags on their vehicles as a mark of protest against the recent killings. According to the statement, on Monday July 5, people should to march to Islamabad to express solidarity with the people there over the killing of three youth by police.
“On Tuesday, July 6, the students should wear black bands and stage protests for one hour. The students upto 8th standard have been asked to stage demonstrations inside their respective schools. The students from 9th standard onwards should protest outside their schools,” the statement said. “On Wednesday and Thursday, July 7 and 8, the people have been asked to stage sit-in on roads in their respective localities. During the sit-ins, the Mohalla Committees should organise langars (community kitchens) in their respective localities,” it said.
The statement said on Friday, July 9 the people should assemble at tehsil headquarters of respective districts and stage peaceful demonstrations. The Hurriyat has appealed the people to deposit Rs 50 and 2 kilograms of rice with their respective Mohalla Committees for distribution among the needy and poor.

Curfew continues in Kashmir

Protests in Islamabad during curfew relaxation

Sat, 3 Jul 2010 13:34:02 IST
Srinagar: Life continued to remain at a grinding halt as curfew and public demonstrations entered the ninth day in Kashmir today.
Government offices, educational institutions, banks, semi-government offices, commercial establishments remain closed while transport, both public and private, is also off the roads. Meanwhile, hundreds of people took to streets in Islamabad on Saturday, raising pro-freedom slogans, and tried to march through the town. Police fired in the air and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the protestors, who retaliated with hurling stones, during two-hour curfew relaxation in the town. Curfew continued to be in place in most of Srinagar, Varmul, Mattan, Bijbehara, Dooru, Kokernag, Achhabal in Islamabad, Qaimoh in Kulgam and Pulwama districts.

Jammu rejects shutdown call, life normal
Sat, 3 Jul 2010 14:54:39 IST
Srinagar: In a clear rejection of communal forces trying to vitiate the cordial relations between various communities in the state, a shutdown called by the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti in Jammu today against what it said "harassment of Amarnath pilgrims in the Kashmir Valley" evoked no response.
All shops and businesses were open and traffic plied normally in the city and other towns like Udhampur. Anil Chopra, vice president of the All Jammu and Kashmir Passenger Transporters Association, told a wire agency: 'People in Jammu have shown that they want peace, not disturbances.' Even as some of the Samiti supporters tried to force shopkepeers to down their shutters, all the markets were open in the walled city, considered a BJP stronghold.

Protest in Kashmir in 2hrs curfew relaxation
Saturday, July 3, 2010, 12:57 [IST]
During the two-hour curfew reposition, a group of agitators started protest in old Anantnag district of Jammu-Kashmir on Saturday, Jul 3.
Police fired warning shots and winged teargas shells to disperse stone-pelting protesters and the authorities again imposed curfew in two more areas of Trehgam and Kupwara towns after agitation by locals. Following the killing of three persons, curfew imposed in Anantnag town on Jun 29. It was relaxed for two hours from 7 a m on Jul 3 in old town areas. However, the relaxation was adjourned as people took the streets in Lal Chowk and Sherpora areas and pelted stones on law enforcing agencies. Police lobbed tear gas shells and fired in the air to disperse the protesters, as the protests compounded. Government offices, educational institutions, banks, semi-government offices, shops and business markets remained closed and transport, both public and private, was off the roads. "The examinations and screening tests scheduled for 3rd 4th Jul 2010 have been postponed," said the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission.

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