The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have gone back to the drawing board to rejig their strategy in a bid to keep Srinagar as calm as possible.
The death toll in the clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir mounted to 23, as normal life remained paralysed for the third day on Monday in the Valley due to curfew-like restrictions and separatists- sponsored strike in the wake of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on Friday.
"Two persons have died in an incident of violence in Kulgam district yesterday and have been identified as Feroze Ahmad Mir (22) and Khursheed Ahmad Mir (38)," a police official said.
A wary administration is making desperate attempts to prevent the protests spillover to sensitive Srinagar after the death of local youth in Tengpora locality of Civil Lines late Sunday evening.
Shabir Ahmad became the first casualty in summer capital city of Srinagar since the protests began on Friday evening when Hizbul Mujhadeen Commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani was killed along with his two associates in an encounter at Kokarnag.
Srinagar had so far seen only sporadic protests while as the epicenter of the tensions had been the four districts of south Kashmir. Except Shabir most of the 21 fatalities were reported from the south Kashmir region. Authorities were trying hard to keep Srinagar under check given the fact that in 2010 the summer capital city fueled the 'azadi groundswell' which later spread like wild fire across the valley.
With the killing of Shabir, the authorities have gone back to the drawing board to rejig their strategy in a bid to keep Srinagar as calm as possible.
Security has been further been beefed up across Kashmir with special focus on Srinagar and south of the state. Extra troops have been deployed and curfew has further been tightened to prevent the protests.
For the third day, e-curfew remained in force with mobile internet being snapped across the valley. South Kashmir remained completely cut off as the authorities have also suspended mobile telephony. Amarnath Yatra continues to remain suspended in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Violence will not solve any issue. Our government is doing whatever is possible to maintain peace. People should also cooperate and especially we will appeal the parents of youth to maintain peace”, said Dr Nirmal Singh, deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba Mufti government’s appeal to mainstream and Hurriyat leaders have evoked positive reaction with National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah expressing readiness to contribute towards maintaining peace
“Dear Mehbooba Mufti, we in JKNC are always ready to contribute towards maintaining peace but you must take the lead and show the way. Please don't take the easy option of hiding behind your spokesperson and your police officers. No one elected them, the people elected you. More than anyone else I know what you're going through Mehbooba Mufti and I can assure you that we will follow your lead but lead you must”, tweeted Omar.
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