Shutdown, restrictions for 63rd day in Kashmir Valley

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the two gained independence from British rule in 1947.

More than 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in the conflict so far, majority by the Indian Armed forces.

This is despite the contrary reports that army was not supportive of the idea, however, General Suhag met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on last Wednesday and the duo discussed the prevailing situation in Kashmir. “They tried to infiltrate into Nowgam sector and were intercepted”. Curfew-like restrictions were placed in the area on the movement of people to prevent them from participating in pro-freedom protests.

FIERCE clashes between protesters and government forces have left two people dead and at least 25 others injured as thousands demand freedom from Indian control in Kashmir, police have confirmed. The clashes were triggered after forces quelled an “azadi rally”.

He said forces fired pellets and teargas shells to foil the rally.

The encounters between security forces and the militants, who were holed up in a house and another structure near the under-construction Mini Secretariat, erupted at around 7.30 AM and continued through the day.

Among the injured civilians are over 600 young Kashmiris who have been hit in their eyes in pellet gun firings and what is really going to haunt many of them for the rest of their lives is the loss of their eyesight. As many as 80 civilians, mostly youth, have been killed and over 11,500 wounded in security forces actions in their tough campaign to contain unrest. Reports said that youths defied curfew and stage protests in Shopian town.

The comments came as government sources in Srinagar told IANS that more paramilitary troopers were being sent to the valley and the army was being deployed in south Kashmir, the hub of the ongoing unrest on the streets.

Reports from South Kashmir’s Kulgam district said that protest marches were taken out in nearly every area after Friday prayers.