India Kashmir dispute: Newspapers raided by police

More troops have been deployed across the valley and roads blocked by using barricades and concertina wire.

After Burhan’s death, Kashmir is on boil and about 40 people have been killed and over 3,000 including 1,600 civilians injured in clashes between youth and security men during protests.

The valley is suffering severely due to a shortage of essentials, including medicines. People complained they had run of their stock of groceries and other food items.

However, on Sunday, people defied curfew at many places and staged pro-freedom protests and engaged forces in pitched battles.

A mob attacked a police post at Hatmulla in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district this afternoon following which the security personnel retaliated.

Three civilians were injured when Army opened fire on protesters at Saderkote village in Bandipore on Sunday. All job interviews by the state Public Service Commission (PSC) have also been postponed.

Amid Kashmir unrest, Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir seized newspapers and shut down cable television on Saturday, aiming to quell a flare up of tensions in the region which has seen violent protests over the killing of a separatist commander by security forces.

Separatist leaders continue to remain under house arrest and preventive detention in summer capital Srinagar. The action is aimed at preventing the leaders from leading demonstrations against the killings.

No newspaper could hit stands for the second day, today, following the media gag imposed by the authorities. In the portion controlled by India, opposition to India is strong, with many expressing support for the rebels fighting for independence, or a merger with neighboring Pakistan. A police team raided the KT printing press at Humhama in the suburbs of Srinagar. They were harassed and intimidated at police station.

Police also seized copies of “Greater Kashmir” and “Kashmir Uzma”.

Train services between Baramulla town in the valley and Banihal town in the Jammu region also remained suspended for the 11th day on Monday.

Official said that a total of 20 fresh companies (100 personnel in each) are being rushed to the Valley which will be in addition to 2,800 Central Reserve Police Force personnel which were sent to assist the state police last week. “As the staff had left after printing the copies, police took into custody all the employees including its Foreman Mohammad Yousuf and asked him to identify the distribution site”. “The employees who tried to resist were beaten up by the policemen”.