Locals say the clashes occurred when troops asked youth to remove the Pakistani flags from Larkipora village
Embattled Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is fast loosing grip on the state as the security forces killed five more protestors, four of them in Omar Abdullah's constituency of Beerwa, on Tuesday.
With five more killings, the death toll has climbed to 64 since the unrest began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. With five fresh killings, the death toll in the last 24 hours has climbed to seven.
Police sources said five civilians were killed and 17 others injured when security forces opened fire on protesters in central and south Kashmir. The first incident occurred at Aripanthan area in Beerwa in Budgam district of central Kashmir at 7.45 am.
Locals said the CRPF troops fired at the protestors at the Aripanthan road killing four people and injuring 17 others which included some women. The injured were rushed to the Magam hospital where from the seriously wounded people were shifted to hospitals in Srinagar for specialised treatment.
Police however said protestors pelted stones on the CRPF when they were passing through the roads early morning. Security forces lobbed tear shells and fired after they tried to overpower and lynch the troops on duty.
Later in the day security forces fired at protestors at Larkipora in Anantnag district. Locals said the incident occurred when troops asked youth to remove the Pakistani flags from the village.
Later there was an altercation with youth clashing and pelting stones on the forces. Security forces later opened fire killing a youth identified as Amir Ganie. Protestors later torched the house of a local army man working with the Territorial Army
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and express our solidarity with them in their hour of inconsolable loss and grief. The situation in the Valley is grave and tragic," said Nasir Aslam Wani, Provincial President of National Conference.
General Officer Commanding of 15 crops Lieutenant General Satish Dua on Tuesday called on the Governor NN Vohra for a security review in the Valley.
Colonel SD Goswami, defence spokesman at northern Command said, the governor was apprised of the army's preparedness along the LoC and the synergy with which all government agencies were operating in the hinterland.
"The Corps Commander, in his interaction with the Governor, reaffirmed the army's commitment in providing all possible assistance in restoring normalcy in the Valley. Lt Gen Dua also assured that the Army would continue to exercise maximum restraint as hitherto fore in dealing with the situation and reinforced his appeal to the people to shun violence and help in maintaining peace", he said.
The fresh killings has come a day after Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti vowed to apply 'Healing Touch' to heal the hurt psyche and salvage bruised dignity of the people. But the killings have once again reinforced the reports that Mehbooba is losing the grip on the state.
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