India&#39;s tech hub of Bengaluru remains under curfew today, a day after a protester was killed in police firing over southern Karnataka state&#39;s long-running Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.&nbsp; 
 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that riots over access to river water in Bengaluru, also called as India&#39;s silicon Valley, this week were &quot;distressful&quot; and the dispute must be resolved peacefully. In a series of tweets, he appealed to the people of both the states to maintain calm.&nbsp; 
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Situation that has emerged in Karnataka &amp; Tamil Nadu, as a fallout of issue of distribution of waters of Cauvery River, is distressful: PM
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/775585792345444352">September 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The violence and arson seen in the last two days is only causing loss to the poor, and to our nation&rsquo;s property: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/775586272316366849">September 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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I appeal to the people of the two States, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/775586684205432832">September 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The city in southern Karnataka remains on boil following top court decision&#39;s calling on state government to divert some of the water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu. It&#39;s pertinent to mention that Bengaluru is home to Indian IT companies as well as offices of international tech giants such as Microsoft and Dell. 
 
&quot;One person died when the police fired to disperse a mob attempting to torch a patrolling police vehicle after ransacking a provisions shop in the city&#39;s north,&quot; T.R. Suresh, deputy commissioner for Bangalore north told AFP. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for Umesh, a petrol pump employee, who died amid outbreak of violence on Monday &nbsp;when angry protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at people.&nbsp; 
 
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that does not allow gathering of more than four people.&nbsp; 
 
In the wake of protests, Indian government rushed ten units of Rapid Action Forces (RAF) &nbsp;on Monday to contain the situation. Thousands of police and paramilitary officers remain deployed on the largely deserted streets of the southern city.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, at least 200 protesters from Bengaluru have been arrested, officials said, in a bid to quell the violence, which has forced shops, businesses and schools to close. 
 
&quot;We have imposed a curfew for three days from early Tuesday in the city&#39;s northwest, southwest, northeast and central areas to maintain peace and prevent untoward incidents during the festival week,&quot; Bangalore police commissioner N.S Megharikh told reporters, referring to the Muslim holiday of Eid. 
 
The police has appealed the people not to indulge in rumour-mongering and check social media handles for updates.&nbsp; 
 
India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states and the row over the Cauvery river stretches back decades. 
 
 
(WION with inputs agencies)&nbsp; 
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The curfew was imposed after one person was killed on Monday in police firing in southern Bengaluru amid outbreak of violence

India's tech hub of Bengaluru remains under curfew today, a day after a protester was killed in police firing over southern Karnataka state's long-running Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that riots over access to river water in Bengaluru, also called as India's silicon Valley, this week were "distressful" and the dispute must be resolved peacefully. In a series of tweets, he appealed to the people of both the states to maintain calm. Situation that has emerged in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu, as a fallout of issue of distribution of waters of Cauvery River, is distressful: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2016 The violence and arson seen in the last two days is only causing loss to the poor, and to our nation’s property: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2016 I appeal to the people of the two States, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2016 The city in southern Karnataka remains on boil following top court decision's calling on state government to divert some of the water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu. It's pertinent to mention that Bengaluru is home to Indian IT companies as well as offices of international tech giants such as Microsoft and Dell. "One person died when the police fired to disperse a mob attempting to torch a patrolling police vehicle after ransacking a provisions shop in the city's north," T.R. Suresh, deputy commissioner for Bangalore north told AFP. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for Umesh, a petrol pump employee, who died amid outbreak of violence on Monday when angry protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at people. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that does not allow gathering of more than four people. In the wake of protests, Indian government rushed ten units of Rapid Action Forces (RAF) on Monday to contain the situation. Thousands of police and paramilitary officers remain deployed on the largely deserted streets of the southern city. Meanwhile, at least 200 protesters from Bengaluru have been arrested, officials said, in a bid to quell the violence, which has forced shops, businesses and schools to close. "We have imposed a curfew for three days from early Tuesday in the city's northwest, southwest, northeast and central areas to maintain peace and prevent untoward incidents during the festival week," Bangalore police commissioner N.S Megharikh told reporters, referring to the Muslim holiday of Eid. The police has appealed the people not to indulge in rumour-mongering and check social media handles for updates. India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states and the row over the Cauvery river stretches back decades. (WION with inputs agencies)

India's tech hub under curfew over Cauvery water dispute

Probably for the first time in 26 years since the militancy began in India&#39;s northern Kashmir Valley, curfew is likely to be imposed in all ten districts on the occasion of Eid, a Muslim festival. &nbsp; 
 
Drones and helicopters will be used for surveillance.&nbsp; 
 
Sources in the government informed that security forces in large numbers will man the streets, following apprehension of violence by the separatist elements, who &quot;often use women and children as shields&nbsp;during protest rallies resulting in civilian casualties&quot;. 
 
Instructions have also been issued to keep the Eid namaaz a local affair to keep the congregations to the minimum, sources in security establishment in national capital, Delhi. told DNA. 
 
The state government in northernmost Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to allow congregations for Eid namaaz at Idgahs as they can accommodate thousands of people. This is for the first time in 26 years that no Eid congregations will be held at the Eidgahs, places where mass prayers are offered by the members of Muslim community, and Hazratbal shrine&nbsp;in the Valley. 
 
The government has already ordered&nbsp;shutdown of Internet services of all telecom networks and mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) for the next 72 hours because of the tense law and order situation in the state. 
 
However, post-paid BSNL connections, which are mainly used by police, army and government officials, have been kept out of the purview of the ban, the sources said. 
 
Mobile telephony was banned immediately after the death of separatist leader, Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 which set off the current spiral of violence in the Valley. It was partially restored on July 27 followed by opening of only broadband Internet. 
 
Meanwhile, separatists are bracing up for a major showdown with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti-led government over the &#39;azadi&#39; march to United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan on the day of Eid festival today. 
 
The state government, on the other hand, has decided to strictly enforce prohibitory orders under section 144 of the The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC&nbsp;)&nbsp; the Valley with the support of the army. 
 
Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), an alliance of Hurriyat hawk and hardline leader&nbsp;Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, which is supervising the current agitation, has called for &#39;Azadi march&#39; towards central Eidgahs followed by a procession towards the United Nations (UN) office for submitting a memorandum to be conveyed to 71st Session of General Assembly of UN starting on September 13. 
 
After putting a large number of army boots on the ground to help state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) retrieve areas in their control, Indian government is hopeful of quelling the 66-day-long violent unrest within ten days. 
 
(This report first appeared on DNA)&nbsp;

This is probably for the first time in 26 years that no Eid congregations will be held in the Valley at Eidgahs, Hazratbal shrine

Probably for the first time in 26 years since the militancy began in India's northern Kashmir Valley, curfew is likely to be imposed in all ten districts on the occasion of Eid, a Muslim festival. Drones and helicopters will be used for surveillance. Sources in the government informed that security forces in large numbers will man the streets, following apprehension of violence by the separatist elements, who "often use women and children as shields during protest rallies resulting in civilian casualties". Instructions have also been issued to keep the Eid namaaz a local affair to keep the congregations to the minimum, sources in security establishment in national capital, Delhi. told DNA. The state government in northernmost Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to allow congregations for Eid namaaz at Idgahs as they can accommodate thousands of people. This is for the first time in 26 years that no Eid congregations will be held at the Eidgahs, places where mass prayers are offered by the members of Muslim community, and Hazratbal shrine in the Valley. The government has already ordered shutdown of Internet services of all telecom networks and mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) for the next 72 hours because of the tense law and order situation in the state. However, post-paid BSNL connections, which are mainly used by police, army and government officials, have been kept out of the purview of the ban, the sources said. Mobile telephony was banned immediately after the death of separatist leader, Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 which set off the current spiral of violence in the Valley. It was partially restored on July 27 followed by opening of only broadband Internet. Meanwhile, separatists are bracing up for a major showdown with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti-led government over the 'azadi' march to United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan on the day of Eid festival today. The state government, on the other hand, has decided to strictly enforce prohibitory orders under section 144 of the The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC ) the Valley with the support of the army. Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), an alliance of Hurriyat hawk and hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, which is supervising the current agitation, has called for 'Azadi march' towards central Eidgahs followed by a procession towards the United Nations (UN) office for submitting a memorandum to be conveyed to 71st Session of General Assembly of UN starting on September 13. After putting a large number of army boots on the ground to help state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) retrieve areas in their control, Indian government is hopeful of quelling the 66-day-long violent unrest within ten days. (This report first appeared on DNA)

India: Drones to keep vigil as Kashmir observes Eid amid curfew

Police in Kashmir have arrested a top separatist leader, his aide said Saturday, as the region&#39;s chief minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defended a 50-day lockdown on the region. 
 
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chief cleric and head of the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, a political coalition opposed to the Indian rule of Kashmir, was arrested near Srinagar on Friday, his aide, Tariq Buch told AFP. 
 
&quot;He was first detained by police while trying to leave home to lead a peaceful demonstration. We came to know later he was taken away to Cheshma Shahi (a high-security zone in Srinagar),&quot; Buch said. 
 
It came as the number of civilians killed since protests erupted in Kashmir last month after the shooting of a popular militant leader hit 68 Saturday, while a police constable was also shot dead. 
 
Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti justified the continuation of the sweeping curfew that has seen schools, shops and most banks shut, after meeting the prime minister in New Delhi on Saturday. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The basic purpose of the curfew was to save the lives of youngsters... If we don&#39;t impose a curfew what do we do?&quot; Mufti told reporters. 
 
She also said the government was willing to hold talks with anyone who wanted a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir problem through dialogue, but pointed the finger at Pakistan. 
 
&quot;I want to tell Pakistan, if it has any sympathy for Kashmiris, it shouldn&#39;t provoke youngsters to attack police stations -- and save youths from being killed,&quot; Mufti said. 
 
Police shot one protester dead Friday, while the body of another was found in a river a day after he was chased by police during an anti-India demonstration. 
 
A police constable was shot dead by unknown gunmen as he stepped out of his home in the southern area of Pulwama on Saturday, police superintendent Rayees Mohammad Bhat said. 
 
&quot;We have reports that there were militants in the area,&quot; Bhat said. 
 
The killing of young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a firefight with government forces on July 8 sparked wide-scale protests across large parts of the disputed territory.&nbsp; 
 
Thousands of angry demonstrators have defied a sweeping curfew to clash with government forces almost daily.&nbsp; 
 
Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full. 
 
Wani&#39;s Hizbul Mujahideen and several other rebel groups have fought for decades some 500,000 Indian troops deployed in the territory, demanding independence for the region or a merger of the territory with Pakistan. 
 
Rights groups say 70,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting and thousands disappeared after they were taken away by security forces since 1989 when an armed rebellion against Indian rule began. 
 
(AFP)

'He was first detained by police while trying to leave home to lead a peaceful demonstration,' his aide said

Police in Kashmir have arrested a top separatist leader, his aide said Saturday, as the region's chief minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defended a 50-day lockdown on the region. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chief cleric and head of the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, a political coalition opposed to the Indian rule of Kashmir, was arrested near Srinagar on Friday, his aide, Tariq Buch told AFP. "He was first detained by police while trying to leave home to lead a peaceful demonstration. We came to know later he was taken away to Cheshma Shahi (a high-security zone in Srinagar)," Buch said. It came as the number of civilians killed since protests erupted in Kashmir last month after the shooting of a popular militant leader hit 68 Saturday, while a police constable was also shot dead. Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti justified the continuation of the sweeping curfew that has seen schools, shops and most banks shut, after meeting the prime minister in New Delhi on Saturday. "The basic purpose of the curfew was to save the lives of youngsters... If we don't impose a curfew what do we do?" Mufti told reporters. She also said the government was willing to hold talks with anyone who wanted a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir problem through dialogue, but pointed the finger at Pakistan. "I want to tell Pakistan, if it has any sympathy for Kashmiris, it shouldn't provoke youngsters to attack police stations -- and save youths from being killed," Mufti said. Police shot one protester dead Friday, while the body of another was found in a river a day after he was chased by police during an anti-India demonstration. A police constable was shot dead by unknown gunmen as he stepped out of his home in the southern area of Pulwama on Saturday, police superintendent Rayees Mohammad Bhat said. "We have reports that there were militants in the area," Bhat said. The killing of young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a firefight with government forces on July 8 sparked wide-scale protests across large parts of the disputed territory. Thousands of angry demonstrators have defied a sweeping curfew to clash with government forces almost daily. Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full. Wani's Hizbul Mujahideen and several other rebel groups have fought for decades some 500,000 Indian troops deployed in the territory, demanding independence for the region or a merger of the territory with Pakistan. Rights groups say 70,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting and thousands disappeared after they were taken away by security forces since 1989 when an armed rebellion against Indian rule began. (AFP)

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, top separatist Kashmiri leader, arrested

At least 25 people were injured in fresh clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir today even as the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley reached 68 amid curfew in many parts of the region. 
 
Police recovered the body of a youth from River Jhelum at Sangam in Anantnag district this morning, a police official said. 
 
He said locals alleged that Shahnawaz Khatana had drowned in the river yesterday when security forces chased a group of stone-pelters in the area. 
 
With this death, the toll in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir has gone up to 68. 
 
A police spokesman said barring five incidents of stone pelting in Anantnag, Shopian and Bandipora districts, the overall situation in Kashmir remained peaceful and under control. 
 
&quot;The stone pelting incidents were reported from Barbugh, Hillow, Kadgam in Shopian, Sangam in Anantnag and Watpora-Potshah in Bandipora,&quot; the spokesman said. 
 
He said some miscreants in order to disturb the situation assembled on roads and allegedly pelted stones on police and security force deployments. 
 
While the spokesman did not mention the number of those injured in the clashes, police sources said at least 25 people sustained injuries during incidents at these places. 
 
Authorities had to reimpose curfew in Anantnag town and adjoining areas in view of violent protests in Sangam area, the official said. 
 
Curfew from the south Kashmir town was briefly lifted this morning after remaining in force for 49 days.&nbsp;Curfew remained in force in entire Srinagar district and two south Kashmir towns of Pulwama and Pampore to maintain law and order in view of the separatist plans to march towards the headquarters of Army at Badamibagh. 
 
He also said restrictions on assembly of people were in force in rest of the Valley to maintain law and order. 
 
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani was taken into preventive custody as he tried to defy house arrest in order to march to the Army headquarters for handing a letter to the General Officer Commanding asking the forces to &quot;vacate Jammu and Kashmir&quot;. 
 
Violent protests have been going on for the past 50 days in Kashmir following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen &#39;commander&#39; Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. 
 
Normal life remained paralysed for the 50th consecutive day due to curfew, restrictions and separatist sponsored strike. 
Shops, private offices, educational institutions and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport continued to be off roads. 
 
The attendance in government offices and banks was also affected, the official said.&nbsp;Mobile Internet also continued to remain suspended in the entire Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobiles remained barred. 
 
The separatist camp, which is spearheading the agitation in the Valley over the civilian killings during the protests against Wani&#39;s killing, has extended the strike call in the Valley till September 1.&nbsp; 
 
Policeman shot dead 
 
A policeman was shot dead by suspected militants in Kashmir today, police said. 
 
Constable Khurshid Ahmad Ganai was shot by unknown gunmen outside his home in Koil in Pulwama this morning, a police official said. 
 
The official said Ganai sufferd critical injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment. 
 
The policeman however died from his injuries at the hospital, the official said. 
 
(PTI)

Kashmir has been under curfew for 50 days now. The death toll is at 68

At least 25 people were injured in fresh clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir today even as the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley reached 68 amid curfew in many parts of the region. Police recovered the body of a youth from River Jhelum at Sangam in Anantnag district this morning, a police official said. He said locals alleged that Shahnawaz Khatana had drowned in the river yesterday when security forces chased a group of stone-pelters in the area. With this death, the toll in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir has gone up to 68. A police spokesman said barring five incidents of stone pelting in Anantnag, Shopian and Bandipora districts, the overall situation in Kashmir remained peaceful and under control. "The stone pelting incidents were reported from Barbugh, Hillow, Kadgam in Shopian, Sangam in Anantnag and Watpora-Potshah in Bandipora," the spokesman said. He said some miscreants in order to disturb the situation assembled on roads and allegedly pelted stones on police and security force deployments. While the spokesman did not mention the number of those injured in the clashes, police sources said at least 25 people sustained injuries during incidents at these places. Authorities had to reimpose curfew in Anantnag town and adjoining areas in view of violent protests in Sangam area, the official said. Curfew from the south Kashmir town was briefly lifted this morning after remaining in force for 49 days. Curfew remained in force in entire Srinagar district and two south Kashmir towns of Pulwama and Pampore to maintain law and order in view of the separatist plans to march towards the headquarters of Army at Badamibagh. He also said restrictions on assembly of people were in force in rest of the Valley to maintain law and order. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani was taken into preventive custody as he tried to defy house arrest in order to march to the Army headquarters for handing a letter to the General Officer Commanding asking the forces to "vacate Jammu and Kashmir". Violent protests have been going on for the past 50 days in Kashmir following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen 'commander' Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. Normal life remained paralysed for the 50th consecutive day due to curfew, restrictions and separatist sponsored strike. Shops, private offices, educational institutions and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport continued to be off roads. The attendance in government offices and banks was also affected, the official said. Mobile Internet also continued to remain suspended in the entire Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobiles remained barred. The separatist camp, which is spearheading the agitation in the Valley over the civilian killings during the protests against Wani's killing, has extended the strike call in the Valley till September 1. Policeman shot dead A policeman was shot dead by suspected militants in Kashmir today, police said. Constable Khurshid Ahmad Ganai was shot by unknown gunmen outside his home in Koil in Pulwama this morning, a police official said. The official said Ganai sufferd critical injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment. The policeman however died from his injuries at the hospital, the official said. (PTI)

Kashmir unrest: 25 injured, policeman shot dead by suspected militants

India&#39;s security force told a Jammu and Kashmir court they have fired 3,000 pellet&nbsp;cartridges (1.6 million pellets) between July 9 and August 11 to quell protests in the restive region.&nbsp; 
 
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said the pellet cartridges, introduced in 2010, were an accepted weapon to control riots. 
 
CRPF said a ban on use of such cartridges would mean they would have no option but to open fire with rifles, a deadlier alternative,&nbsp;during extreme situations. 
 
The statement was made in an affidavit filed by the Indian security agency in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on pellet cartridges. 
 
CRPF also disclosed that it has used 14 types of &quot;less lethal and non-lethal&quot; munitions to control crowds during the ongoing protests in the Valley, which has been on the boil since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was gunned down by Indian security forces on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
Some of the the &#39;less lethal&#39;&nbsp;ammunitions&nbsp;used by the federal law enforcement agency are&nbsp;Oleoresin (a chilli extract) grenades, pepper balls, stun grenades and electric shells. 
 
(DNA)&nbsp;

CRPF, India's federal law enforcement and civilian agency, told a court that pellet cartridges were an accepted weapon to control riots

India's security force told a Jammu and Kashmir court they have fired 3,000 pellet cartridges (1.6 million pellets) between July 9 and August 11 to quell protests in the restive region. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said the pellet cartridges, introduced in 2010, were an accepted weapon to control riots. CRPF said a ban on use of such cartridges would mean they would have no option but to open fire with rifles, a deadlier alternative, during extreme situations. The statement was made in an affidavit filed by the Indian security agency in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on pellet cartridges. CRPF also disclosed that it has used 14 types of "less lethal and non-lethal" munitions to control crowds during the ongoing protests in the Valley, which has been on the boil since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was gunned down by Indian security forces on July 8. Some of the the 'less lethal' ammunitions used by the federal law enforcement agency are Oleoresin (a chilli extract) grenades, pepper balls, stun grenades and electric shells. (DNA)

'1.6 mn pellets fired during first 34 days of ongoing Kashmir curfew'

Authorities lifted a curfew in summer capital of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir today after 17 days of lockdown, but protesters continued to clash with police in the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir following two weeks of deadly violence. 
 
&quot;There will be no restrictions in any part of district Srinagar today on 26 July,&quot; top administrative official Farooq Ahmad Lone said in a statement. 
 
It was unclear whether the lifting of the curfew was simply a temporary move to allow angry protesters some release, or if the relaxation of restrictions would continue. 
 
Mobile and internet networks remained suspended in Srinagar and across the restive territory, while a curfew was still in force in southern areas, where most of the 50 deaths have occurred. 
 
Hundreds of angry residents rallied in the city today to protest against Indian rule, shouting slogans for freedom and clashing with police who fired tear gas canisters to disperse them, a witness said. 
 
Shops, schools and businesses remained shut in the city while vehicles were off the roads. 
 
Separatist leaders opposed to Indian rule of the disputed territory have extended an ongoing strike to Saturday, but have appealed to shopkeepers to open for a few hours each day to allow people to buy essential supplies. 
 
&quot;We will open shops after 2:00 pm,&quot; Umer Ahmed, a shopkeeper in the old quarter of Srinagar told AFP. 
 
The unrest was triggered by the killing on July 8 of a 21 years old young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a gunfight with soldiers. 
The wide-scale protests in the region have also left thousands injured. 
 
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the rivals won independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full. 
 
Several rebel groups, including Wani&#39;s Hizbul Mujahideen, have fought for decades an estimated 500,000 Indian troops deployed in the territory, demanding independence or its merger with Pakistan. 
 
Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

It was unclear whether the lifting of the curfew was simply a temporary move to allow angry protesters some release

Authorities lifted a curfew in summer capital of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir today after 17 days of lockdown, but protesters continued to clash with police in the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir following two weeks of deadly violence. "There will be no restrictions in any part of district Srinagar today on 26 July," top administrative official Farooq Ahmad Lone said in a statement. It was unclear whether the lifting of the curfew was simply a temporary move to allow angry protesters some release, or if the relaxation of restrictions would continue. Mobile and internet networks remained suspended in Srinagar and across the restive territory, while a curfew was still in force in southern areas, where most of the 50 deaths have occurred. Hundreds of angry residents rallied in the city today to protest against Indian rule, shouting slogans for freedom and clashing with police who fired tear gas canisters to disperse them, a witness said. Shops, schools and businesses remained shut in the city while vehicles were off the roads. Separatist leaders opposed to Indian rule of the disputed territory have extended an ongoing strike to Saturday, but have appealed to shopkeepers to open for a few hours each day to allow people to buy essential supplies. "We will open shops after 2:00 pm," Umer Ahmed, a shopkeeper in the old quarter of Srinagar told AFP. The unrest was triggered by the killing on July 8 of a 21 years old young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a gunfight with soldiers. The wide-scale protests in the region have also left thousands injured. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the rivals won independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full. Several rebel groups, including Wani's Hizbul Mujahideen, have fought for decades an estimated 500,000 Indian troops deployed in the territory, demanding independence or its merger with Pakistan. Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting. (AFP)

India: Curfew lifted in Srinagar after 17 days of lockdown, clashes continue

Normal life remained disrupted in India&#39;s northern state of Kashmir as curfew continued for the 16th day on Sunday in the aftermath of widespread violence over the killing of a separatist militant Burhan Wani. 
 
Authorities, however, lifted curfew in four districts of Kashmir Valley. 
 
Men in uniform were seen patrolling on the roads of capital city Srinagar. While vehicles stayed off roads, markets remained shut and most residents chose to stay indoors. 
 
Mobile and broadband internet services continue to remain suspended in the valley. 
 
India&#39;s home minister Rajnath Singh is camping in Srinagar since Saturday meeting top security personnel and administration officials. 
 
He also had a separate meeting with Jammu and Kashmir state chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday and discussed the law and order situation in the volatile province. 
 
Kashmir has been on the boil after security forces on July 08 gunned down 22-year-old Burhan Wani, leader of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen a group fighting for the independence of the state from the Indian armed forces. 
 
Wani represented a new generation of fighters in a region where alienation runs deep even though attacks have fallen dramatically since the revolt broke out in 1989. 
 
His killing has triggered the valley&#39;s worst outbreak of violence in six years. 
 
At least 40 people have been killed in violence across the state. About 3,500 people have been hurt, many with eye injuries caused by pellets Indian forces have been firing from a non-lethal weapon. The injuries have fueled anger. 
 
(Reuters)

Curfew enters 16th day with no vehicular movement noted on the roads of Kashmir's capital city Srinagar, residents chose to stay indoors

Normal life remained disrupted in India's northern state of Kashmir as curfew continued for the 16th day on Sunday in the aftermath of widespread violence over the killing of a separatist militant Burhan Wani. Authorities, however, lifted curfew in four districts of Kashmir Valley. Men in uniform were seen patrolling on the roads of capital city Srinagar. While vehicles stayed off roads, markets remained shut and most residents chose to stay indoors. Mobile and broadband internet services continue to remain suspended in the valley. India's home minister Rajnath Singh is camping in Srinagar since Saturday meeting top security personnel and administration officials. He also had a separate meeting with Jammu and Kashmir state chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday and discussed the law and order situation in the volatile province. Kashmir has been on the boil after security forces on July 08 gunned down 22-year-old Burhan Wani, leader of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen a group fighting for the independence of the state from the Indian armed forces. Wani represented a new generation of fighters in a region where alienation runs deep even though attacks have fallen dramatically since the revolt broke out in 1989. His killing has triggered the valley's worst outbreak of violence in six years. At least 40 people have been killed in violence across the state. About 3,500 people have been hurt, many with eye injuries caused by pellets Indian forces have been firing from a non-lethal weapon. The injuries have fueled anger. (Reuters)

Tension persists in violence-hit Kashmir, curfew lifted in some parts

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh today began his two-day Kashmir visit to give a healing touch to the restive Valley, with two trade bodies boycotting him. Curfew was lifted from four districts and parts of Srinagar town but remained in force in other areas as a precautionary measure. 
 
Barring stray incidents of stone-pelting, the first day of Singh&#39;s visit to the northern most state of the country passed off peacefully. 
 
Kashmir has been on a boil for several days after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8 in an encounter with security forces.&nbsp; 
 
As he took stock of the situation in the valley, Singh met BJP ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government in the state, including deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh. A group of Muslim clerics also met Singh at the high-security Nehru Guest House. A delegation of Shikarawalas and houseboat owners also called on the home minister and apprised him of their problems. 
 
A home ministry release said Singh would meet Governor N N Vohra and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti later today. Mehbooba was away meeting families of those killed in action by security forces when Singh arrived here. 
 
Trade bodies boycot home minister&#39;s visit&nbsp; 
 
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), two major representative trade bodies in the Valley, decided not to meet the home minister, saying such exercises in the past have been futile. 
 
Meanwhile, curfew was lifted from Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam and Ganderbal districts and some parts of Srinagar city in view of the improving situation in these areas, a police official said. 
 
The official, however, said restrictions on assembly of four or more people under Section 144 CrPC will continue in the areas where curfew has been lifted. He said curfew remained in force in Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pulwama and Shopian districts of the Valley and eight police station areas of the city. 
 
Singh is scheduled to hold meetings with state government officials, political leaders and others during his two-day stay. However, representatives of the two trade bodies, who were to meet him today, decided to boycott him. 
 
Meanwhile, two senior police officers have been transferred from South Kashmir range, which was among the worst affected areas hit by violence following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Wani. 
 
Senior IPS officer Ghulam Hassan Bhat has been posted as DIG South Kashmir range, replacing Nitish Kumar, a government spokesman said. 
 
He said SSP Anantnag Abdul Jabbar was also transfered and replaced by SSP Traffic (Rural) Zubair. 
 
The KEA, in an open letter to the Home Minister, said while they could understand the urgency for his visit to Kashmir for assessing the situation, &quot;we also can esily determine the futility of this exercise.&quot; 
 
In the hard-hitting letter, the trade body accused the Union ministers of showing &quot;arrogance and hostility&quot; to the people of the Valley about whose problems they had &quot;no real knowledge&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Barring stray incidents of stone-pelting, the first day of Rajnath Singh's visit passed off peacefully?

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh today began his two-day Kashmir visit to give a healing touch to the restive Valley, with two trade bodies boycotting him. Curfew was lifted from four districts and parts of Srinagar town but remained in force in other areas as a precautionary measure. Barring stray incidents of stone-pelting, the first day of Singh's visit to the northern most state of the country passed off peacefully. Kashmir has been on a boil for several days after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8 in an encounter with security forces. As he took stock of the situation in the valley, Singh met BJP ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government in the state, including deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh. A group of Muslim clerics also met Singh at the high-security Nehru Guest House. A delegation of Shikarawalas and houseboat owners also called on the home minister and apprised him of their problems. A home ministry release said Singh would meet Governor N N Vohra and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti later today. Mehbooba was away meeting families of those killed in action by security forces when Singh arrived here. Trade bodies boycot home minister's visit Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), two major representative trade bodies in the Valley, decided not to meet the home minister, saying such exercises in the past have been futile. Meanwhile, curfew was lifted from Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam and Ganderbal districts and some parts of Srinagar city in view of the improving situation in these areas, a police official said. The official, however, said restrictions on assembly of four or more people under Section 144 CrPC will continue in the areas where curfew has been lifted. He said curfew remained in force in Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pulwama and Shopian districts of the Valley and eight police station areas of the city. Singh is scheduled to hold meetings with state government officials, political leaders and others during his two-day stay. However, representatives of the two trade bodies, who were to meet him today, decided to boycott him. Meanwhile, two senior police officers have been transferred from South Kashmir range, which was among the worst affected areas hit by violence following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Wani. Senior IPS officer Ghulam Hassan Bhat has been posted as DIG South Kashmir range, replacing Nitish Kumar, a government spokesman said. He said SSP Anantnag Abdul Jabbar was also transfered and replaced by SSP Traffic (Rural) Zubair. The KEA, in an open letter to the Home Minister, said while they could understand the urgency for his visit to Kashmir for assessing the situation, "we also can esily determine the futility of this exercise." In the hard-hitting letter, the trade body accused the Union ministers of showing "arrogance and hostility" to the people of the Valley about whose problems they had "no real knowledge". (PTI)

Curfew lifted in parts of violence-hit Kashmir as Indian home minister begins his two-day visit?

India plans to reconsider the use of pellet guns by security forces when controlling crowds, its home minister said on Thursday, after widespread resort to the weapons caused multiple casualties and stirred public anger. 
 
Home minister Rajnath Singh told lawmakers the government would set up a panel to look for an alternative to the pellet gun in response to questions about responses to a recent surge of violence in the Kashmir region. 
 
Dr Kaisar Ahmad, principal of Government Medical College Srinagar, said that over 280 had been treated for pellet injuries since July 9 when violence broke out in Kashmir during protests sparked by the death of a separatist militant. 
 
In his talk with lawmakers, Singh said one person had been killed from pellet shots in the most recent violence in India&#39;s northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing the total number of deaths from the weapon there to seven since 2010. 
 
In addition, 53 had suffered eye injuries in the past six years, Singh said. &quot;It is a fact that people were injured by the use of non-lethal weapons,&quot; Singh told lawmakers. 
 
&quot;We will form an expert committee on this that will give its report in two months so that such incidents are not repeated in future.&quot; 
 
Amnesty International this week asked the Indian government to prohibit the use of pellet-firing shotguns during street demonstrations, saying that police should look for &quot;less harmful&quot; devices. 
 
Though meant to be a non-lethal weapon, a senior police officer said that security forces are often forced to use pellet guns at close range to protect themselves against mob attacks. 
 
Insha Malik, a 15-year-old student, was hit in her eyes by pellets when she was watching protests from the window of her house in the South Kashmiri town of Shopian. Her father, Mushtaq Ahmad, says she will never regain her eyesight again. 
 
&quot;She often asks me about her regaining her eyesight. I tell her a lie (to console her) that she will, but it will take time,&quot; he said. 
 
(Reuters)

Pellet shots caused severe injuries and one death in the recent Jammu and Kashmir violence, attracting criticism from many quarters

India plans to reconsider the use of pellet guns by security forces when controlling crowds, its home minister said on Thursday, after widespread resort to the weapons caused multiple casualties and stirred public anger. Home minister Rajnath Singh told lawmakers the government would set up a panel to look for an alternative to the pellet gun in response to questions about responses to a recent surge of violence in the Kashmir region. Dr Kaisar Ahmad, principal of Government Medical College Srinagar, said that over 280 had been treated for pellet injuries since July 9 when violence broke out in Kashmir during protests sparked by the death of a separatist militant. In his talk with lawmakers, Singh said one person had been killed from pellet shots in the most recent violence in India's northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing the total number of deaths from the weapon there to seven since 2010. In addition, 53 had suffered eye injuries in the past six years, Singh said. "It is a fact that people were injured by the use of non-lethal weapons," Singh told lawmakers. "We will form an expert committee on this that will give its report in two months so that such incidents are not repeated in future." Amnesty International this week asked the Indian government to prohibit the use of pellet-firing shotguns during street demonstrations, saying that police should look for "less harmful" devices. Though meant to be a non-lethal weapon, a senior police officer said that security forces are often forced to use pellet guns at close range to protect themselves against mob attacks. Insha Malik, a 15-year-old student, was hit in her eyes by pellets when she was watching protests from the window of her house in the South Kashmiri town of Shopian. Her father, Mushtaq Ahmad, says she will never regain her eyesight again. "She often asks me about her regaining her eyesight. I tell her a lie (to console her) that she will, but it will take time," he said. (Reuters)

India to consider alternatives to pellet gun, says home minister Rajnath Singh

With the curfew in the Valley dragging on, life in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir continued to be in a state of paralysis even though incidents of violence between locals and the security forces show no sign of cooling down and the death toll of civilians continues to rise. 
 
Meanwhile, owners and editors of newspapers in the Valley have refused to publish dailies, in protest against the state governments failure to own the &quot;ban order&quot; that was issued three days ago. 
 
Yesterday, Mufti had clarified to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu that no ban has been imposed on the publication of newspapers in the troubled state. 
 
Naidu spoke to Mufti on Monday night on the issue of ban on newspapers in the state. 
 
Mufti&#39;s contradiction came days after government spokesman Nayeem Akhtar reportedly said that &quot;the undesirable step was taken to ensure peace, to save lives and strengthen peace efforts&quot;. 
 
According to reports, hawkers in the citys centre alleged that police did not allow them to distribute the newspapers and also seized their copies. 
 
With Pakistan observing &#39;Black Day&#39; today over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, security measured have been stepped up as more police and paramilitary soldiers have been deployed across all towns and villages, including Srinagar to maintain law and order. 
 
So far, at least 45 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and around 3000 remain injured. 
 
Cellphone services and mobile internet remains blocked, also newspapers are refusing to publish. 
 
Meanwhile, in the wake of the violent situation in the Valley spiraling out of control day-by-day, Indian army chief General Dalbir Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir today to take stock of the situation. 
 
The death toll climbed to 42 after a woman who had sustained grievous injuries at Qazigund on Monday succumbed in hospital early morning yesterday. 
 
However, the Indian army yesterday expressed regret over the death of civilians in Qazigund and ordered a probe in the matter. 
 
Expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, the Army appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments, thus creating situations where they are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence. 
 
The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Indian government and state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)

Security in Valley stepped up as Pakistan observes 'Black Day' over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani

With the curfew in the Valley dragging on, life in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir continued to be in a state of paralysis even though incidents of violence between locals and the security forces show no sign of cooling down and the death toll of civilians continues to rise. Meanwhile, owners and editors of newspapers in the Valley have refused to publish dailies, in protest against the state governments failure to own the "ban order" that was issued three days ago. Yesterday, Mufti had clarified to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu that no ban has been imposed on the publication of newspapers in the troubled state. Naidu spoke to Mufti on Monday night on the issue of ban on newspapers in the state. Mufti's contradiction came days after government spokesman Nayeem Akhtar reportedly said that "the undesirable step was taken to ensure peace, to save lives and strengthen peace efforts". According to reports, hawkers in the citys centre alleged that police did not allow them to distribute the newspapers and also seized their copies. With Pakistan observing 'Black Day' today over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, security measured have been stepped up as more police and paramilitary soldiers have been deployed across all towns and villages, including Srinagar to maintain law and order. So far, at least 45 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and around 3000 remain injured. Cellphone services and mobile internet remains blocked, also newspapers are refusing to publish. Meanwhile, in the wake of the violent situation in the Valley spiraling out of control day-by-day, Indian army chief General Dalbir Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir today to take stock of the situation. The death toll climbed to 42 after a woman who had sustained grievous injuries at Qazigund on Monday succumbed in hospital early morning yesterday. However, the Indian army yesterday expressed regret over the death of civilians in Qazigund and ordered a probe in the matter. Expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, the Army appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments, thus creating situations where they are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence. The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Indian government and state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the Valley. (ANI)

Kashmir unrest: Newspapers refuse to publish despite permission

A woman injured in clashes between security forces and protesters in south Kashmir died in hospital, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest to 42, even as curfew remained in force in the Kashmir Valley today. 
 
Neelofar was injured in retaliatory firing yesterday after protesters pelted stones at an Army vehicle in Qazigund. 
 
Two other persons, including a woman, were killed and seven others injured in the incident. 
 
A police spokesman, giving details of the incident, said an army patrol had come up against a road blockade at Churaht Qazigund while moving towards&nbsp;Devsar. 
 
&quot;The security force party while removing the obstructions came under heavy stone pelting by the miscreants from two sides. The Army party warned the mob to maintain distance but it did not relent. 
 
&quot;Some miscreants tried to snatch weapons from them and tried to set ablaze the vehicles. Despite repeated warnings the mob did not disperse and army fired in self-defence in an effort to move out from the spot,&quot; the spokesman said, adding six persons were injured in the incident out of which two had succumbed last night. 
 
Curfew meanwhile remained in force across the 10 districts of the Valley, with no sign of clashes between protesters and security forces coming to an end. 
 
The clashes began soon after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in a gun battle with security forces on July 8. 
 
Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength across the Valley to enforce the strict implementation of prohibitory orders, the official said. 
 
He said there have been no reports of violence from anywhere in the Valley so far today. 
 
Normal life also remained paralysed for the eleventh day today due to the separatist-sponsored strike which has now been extended till July 22. 
 
In a joint statement, Kashmiri leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Mohammad Yasin Malik yesterday said the shutdown in the Valley will continue till July 22. However, they announced a half day-relaxation from 2 pm &nbsp;onwards on July 21. 
 
Mobile phones and mobile internet services stayed down while newspapers failed to hit stands for the fourth day. 
 
(PTI) 
 
&nbsp;

Life remains paralysed for the eleventh day. Mobile phones stay down, newspapers fail to hit stands for a fourth day

A woman injured in clashes between security forces and protesters in south Kashmir died in hospital, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest to 42, even as curfew remained in force in the Kashmir Valley today. Neelofar was injured in retaliatory firing yesterday after protesters pelted stones at an Army vehicle in Qazigund. Two other persons, including a woman, were killed and seven others injured in the incident. A police spokesman, giving details of the incident, said an army patrol had come up against a road blockade at Churaht Qazigund while moving towards Devsar. "The security force party while removing the obstructions came under heavy stone pelting by the miscreants from two sides. The Army party warned the mob to maintain distance but it did not relent. "Some miscreants tried to snatch weapons from them and tried to set ablaze the vehicles. Despite repeated warnings the mob did not disperse and army fired in self-defence in an effort to move out from the spot," the spokesman said, adding six persons were injured in the incident out of which two had succumbed last night. Curfew meanwhile remained in force across the 10 districts of the Valley, with no sign of clashes between protesters and security forces coming to an end. The clashes began soon after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in a gun battle with security forces on July 8. Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength across the Valley to enforce the strict implementation of prohibitory orders, the official said. He said there have been no reports of violence from anywhere in the Valley so far today. Normal life also remained paralysed for the eleventh day today due to the separatist-sponsored strike which has now been extended till July 22. In a joint statement, Kashmiri leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Mohammad Yasin Malik yesterday said the shutdown in the Valley will continue till July 22. However, they announced a half day-relaxation from 2 pm onwards on July 21. Mobile phones and mobile internet services stayed down while newspapers failed to hit stands for the fourth day. (PTI)

Woman injured in clashes dies in hospital, taking death toll in Kashmir to 42

Kashmir residents said today they are facing shortages of prescription drugs, as parts of the region remained under curfew for an 11th day following deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. 
 
As the overall death toll from days of violence rose to 45, shopkeepers warned supplies were running low because trucks were unable to reach them, while residents complained of being &quot;caged&quot; in their homes. 
 
&quot;People are suffering without medicines. A lot of people are struggling for medicines for diabetes, hypertension and anti-depressants,&quot; said Nazir Ahmed who owns a pharmacy in the old part of the main city of Srinagar. 
 
With most vehicles ordered off the roads under the curfew, Ahmed said he walked five kilometres to a warehouse to buy medicines. 
 
&quot;No fresh supplies are coming from outside. This will last two to three days for my neighbourhood,&quot; Ahmed said, carrying plastic bags full of medicines. 
 
Shops and other businesses have been shuttered under the curfew which the government says is needed to curb the street clashes that erupted after the death of a Hizbul Mujahideen commander on July 8. 
 
Burhan Wani, killed during a gunbattle with government forces, was commander of the region&#39;s biggest separatist group Hizbul Mujahideen, listed as a terror group by India, United States and the European Union among others, one of several fighting for decades against Indian troops deployed in the territory. 
 
The clashes are the deadliest in Muslim-majority Kashmir since 2010 when massive demonstrations were held against Indian rule. 
 
Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since independence in 1947, but both claim the Himalayan territory in full. 
 
In the latest violence two protesters were killed late Monday when soldiers opened fire on stone-throwing demonstrators in the south. 
 
The army said in a statement troops were forced to shoot when a &quot;large mob turned violent&quot; and &quot;attempted to snatch weapons from the soldiers&quot;, adding that the deaths were regretted. 
 
In parts of Srinagar today, residents kept watch for volunteers from local charities delivering supplies including food on foot. 
 
An elderly woman suffering from hypertension and a heart condition said she hoped they would bring medicines soon. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t have my medicines. Some volunteers came, but they did not have the medicines I need,&quot; Noora, 80, who uses one name, said from her doorstep. 
 
&quot;We are just caged inside our home,&quot; her son, Ghulam Nabi Ahangar, added. 
 
Ahangar said security forces were firing tear gas and pepper spray at night to deter people from venturing outside. 
 
&quot;The poisonous gases stay inside our home and lungs the whole night. Our children are falling sick and cannot sleep,&quot; Ahangar told AFP. 
 
Some pharmacies outside hospitals are open but few residents can reach them, while internet and phone services remain patchy. 
 
&quot;Patients who have not been able to reach hospitals will come in large numbers once the curfew is lifted. It will be another huge emergency,&quot; said Kaisar Ahmed, head of Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital and six other government hospitals in Srinagar. 
 
(AFP)

Shopkeepers warned supplies were running low as trucks were unable to reach them. Residents complained of being 'caged' in their homes

Kashmir residents said today they are facing shortages of prescription drugs, as parts of the region remained under curfew for an 11th day following deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. As the overall death toll from days of violence rose to 45, shopkeepers warned supplies were running low because trucks were unable to reach them, while residents complained of being "caged" in their homes. "People are suffering without medicines. A lot of people are struggling for medicines for diabetes, hypertension and anti-depressants," said Nazir Ahmed who owns a pharmacy in the old part of the main city of Srinagar. With most vehicles ordered off the roads under the curfew, Ahmed said he walked five kilometres to a warehouse to buy medicines. "No fresh supplies are coming from outside. This will last two to three days for my neighbourhood," Ahmed said, carrying plastic bags full of medicines. Shops and other businesses have been shuttered under the curfew which the government says is needed to curb the street clashes that erupted after the death of a Hizbul Mujahideen commander on July 8. Burhan Wani, killed during a gunbattle with government forces, was commander of the region's biggest separatist group Hizbul Mujahideen, listed as a terror group by India, United States and the European Union among others, one of several fighting for decades against Indian troops deployed in the territory. The clashes are the deadliest in Muslim-majority Kashmir since 2010 when massive demonstrations were held against Indian rule. Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since independence in 1947, but both claim the Himalayan territory in full. In the latest violence two protesters were killed late Monday when soldiers opened fire on stone-throwing demonstrators in the south. The army said in a statement troops were forced to shoot when a "large mob turned violent" and "attempted to snatch weapons from the soldiers", adding that the deaths were regretted. In parts of Srinagar today, residents kept watch for volunteers from local charities delivering supplies including food on foot. An elderly woman suffering from hypertension and a heart condition said she hoped they would bring medicines soon. "I don't have my medicines. Some volunteers came, but they did not have the medicines I need," Noora, 80, who uses one name, said from her doorstep. "We are just caged inside our home," her son, Ghulam Nabi Ahangar, added. Ahangar said security forces were firing tear gas and pepper spray at night to deter people from venturing outside. "The poisonous gases stay inside our home and lungs the whole night. Our children are falling sick and cannot sleep," Ahangar told AFP. Some pharmacies outside hospitals are open but few residents can reach them, while internet and phone services remain patchy. "Patients who have not been able to reach hospitals will come in large numbers once the curfew is lifted. It will be another huge emergency," said Kaisar Ahmed, head of Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital and six other government hospitals in Srinagar. (AFP)

Kashmir unrest: Residents under curfew face medicine shortage

Prohibitory orders continued in India&#39;s Kashmir today for ninth day in a row, following widespread violence after death of a separatist militant. 
 
Heavily armed policemen and security personnel patrolled Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir state, as security was heightened to prevent any untoward incident. 
 
Markets remained shut, roads deserted and residents preferred to stay indoors. 
 
There were no vehicles on the roads and mobile internet services continued to be suspended in parts of the Kashmir Valley to prevent rumour mongering. Trains and flights services also have been affected due to the unrest. 
 
Authorities had on Saturday seized newspapers and shut down cable television, aiming to quell a flare up of tensions in the region. 
 
Kashmir has been on the boil after security services on July 8 gunned down 22-year-old Burhan Wani, leader of Hizbul Mujahideen - a group fighting India&#39;s control of the Muslim-majority region. 
 
At least 39 people have been killed and 3,100 wounded, most of them by police fire, in the worst outbreak of violence in six years in the disputed territory also claimed by Pakistan. 
 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti had appealed to the people to maintain peace. 
 
Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. 
 
Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he was shocked by the killing of Wani and the civilians. 
 
India&#39;s foreign ministry said on Friday it was dismayed by Pakistan&#39;s attempt to &quot;interfere in our internal matters&quot;. 
 
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since Independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. 
 
India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. 
 
(Reuters)

Cable TV was shut down and newspapers seized by Indian authorities to stop 'campaign aimed at fomenting trouble' by media

Prohibitory orders continued in India's Kashmir today for ninth day in a row, following widespread violence after death of a separatist militant. Heavily armed policemen and security personnel patrolled Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir state, as security was heightened to prevent any untoward incident. Markets remained shut, roads deserted and residents preferred to stay indoors. There were no vehicles on the roads and mobile internet services continued to be suspended in parts of the Kashmir Valley to prevent rumour mongering. Trains and flights services also have been affected due to the unrest. Authorities had on Saturday seized newspapers and shut down cable television, aiming to quell a flare up of tensions in the region. Kashmir has been on the boil after security services on July 8 gunned down 22-year-old Burhan Wani, leader of Hizbul Mujahideen - a group fighting India's control of the Muslim-majority region. At least 39 people have been killed and 3,100 wounded, most of them by police fire, in the worst outbreak of violence in six years in the disputed territory also claimed by Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti had appealed to the people to maintain peace. Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he was shocked by the killing of Wani and the civilians. India's foreign ministry said on Friday it was dismayed by Pakistan's attempt to "interfere in our internal matters". India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since Independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. (Reuters)

Day nine: Curfew continues, mobile internet services remain suspended in Kashmir

Local newspapers in the curfew-bound Kashmir Valley of India failed to hit the stands today as authorities allegedly raided some media offices and detained a few of their employees while seizing the printed copies. 
 
No newspaper -- English, Urdu or Kashmiri -- was available as the authorities gagged the media in the Valley, media houses claimed.&nbsp;Attempts to seek an official version of the events did not fructify. 
 
Apprehending fresh trouble, the&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir Police raided the offices of at least two newspaper printing presses in Rangreth Industrial Estate in the outskirts of the city, barring them from printing the newspapers. 
 
On its website, Kashmir&#39;s largest circulated daily Greater Kashmir alleged that the authorities gagged the newspaper by raiding the Greater Kashmir Corporate (GKC) office at Rangreth at midnight. 
 
Police arrested the Greater Kashmir Printing Press foreman Biju Chaudary and two other employees, it claimed. 
 
Policemen seized the plates of Greater Kashmir and more than 50,000 printed copies of the&nbsp;Kashmir Uzma and closed down the GKC printing press, the paper said. 
 
Another printing press, KT Press, which prints many newspapers, including Kashmir Reader, Kashmir Times, Kashmir Observer and The Kashmir Monitor, was also raided and shut down, the printing press owner claimed. 
 
The police seized copies of various newspapers besides other printing material and printing plates. Staff members including foreman, machine man and helper, were arrested by the police, the owner said. 
 
The hawkers in the Lal Chowk city centre of summer capital Srinagar alleged that the police did not allow them to distribute the newspapers and seized their copies. 
 
Meanwhile, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Kashmir Images, Bashir Manzar, said the police raided the newspaper&#39;s printing press and seized printing material last night. 
 
The authorities have also blocked cable TV network across Kashmir, a police official said.&nbsp; 
 
Curfew and restrictions continue in the Valley, gripped by unrest after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

On its website, Kashmir's largest circulated daily alleged the authorities gagged the newspaper

Local newspapers in the curfew-bound Kashmir Valley of India failed to hit the stands today as authorities allegedly raided some media offices and detained a few of their employees while seizing the printed copies. No newspaper -- English, Urdu or Kashmiri -- was available as the authorities gagged the media in the Valley, media houses claimed. Attempts to seek an official version of the events did not fructify. Apprehending fresh trouble, the Jammu and Kashmir Police raided the offices of at least two newspaper printing presses in Rangreth Industrial Estate in the outskirts of the city, barring them from printing the newspapers. On its website, Kashmir's largest circulated daily Greater Kashmir alleged that the authorities gagged the newspaper by raiding the Greater Kashmir Corporate (GKC) office at Rangreth at midnight. Police arrested the Greater Kashmir Printing Press foreman Biju Chaudary and two other employees, it claimed. Policemen seized the plates of Greater Kashmir and more than 50,000 printed copies of the Kashmir Uzma and closed down the GKC printing press, the paper said. Another printing press, KT Press, which prints many newspapers, including Kashmir Reader, Kashmir Times, Kashmir Observer and The Kashmir Monitor, was also raided and shut down, the printing press owner claimed. The police seized copies of various newspapers besides other printing material and printing plates. Staff members including foreman, machine man and helper, were arrested by the police, the owner said. The hawkers in the Lal Chowk city centre of summer capital Srinagar alleged that the police did not allow them to distribute the newspapers and seized their copies. Meanwhile, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Kashmir Images, Bashir Manzar, said the police raided the newspaper's printing press and seized printing material last night. The authorities have also blocked cable TV network across Kashmir, a police official said. Curfew and restrictions continue in the Valley, gripped by unrest after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8. (PTI)

Newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir fail to hit stands after alleged raids on media offices

One person was killed and 23 others, including 9 securitymen, were injured in violence today in Kashmir which saw mobs defying curfew in many parts to pelt stones. A police station was attacked with a grenade and firing by suspected militants from the crowd was also reported. 
 
Due to trouble in Kashmir, the Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage) continued to be suspended for the second consecutive day, with no pilgrims being allowed from Jammu to move towards the Kashmir valley. 
 
Indian authorities had imposed curfew in all the 10 districts of Kashmir fearing trouble as it was the first Friday after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. 
 
However, mobs defied curfew at many places, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore, Ganderbal, Rafiabad, Bandipora, Kulgam and Pulwama, a police official said. 
 
In Drugmulla in Kupwara district, a mob targeted Indian security forces who opened fire in response, resulting in injuries to three civilians, a police official said. 
 
One of the injured, Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, succumbed to injuries later, he said. With this death, the toll in the current unrest has gone up to 37, including one policeman. 
 
A patrol party of security forces was attacked by a mob with stones at Delina in Baramulla district this morning, injuring three security personnel, the official said. 
 
In retaliation, security forces opened fire in which three civilians were injured. Condition of all the injured is stated to be stable, he added. 
 
A youth was critically injured in firing by security forces on stone-pelting mobs at Manigam in central Kashmir&#39;s Ganderbal district, the official said, adding that the injured was undergoing surgery at SMHS hospital. 
 
A mob indulged in pelted stones in Sopore and in the retaliatory action, four persons sustained pellet injuries. 
 
Two others were injured in clashes in nearby Pattan town, the official said. 
 
Two other persons were injured in a similar incident in Shopian district, he said. 
 
Yaripora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir saw a grenade attack followed by firing on a police station during stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to six police personnel, the official said. 
 
&quot;Someone from the mob hurled a grenade at the police personnel during stone pelting on&nbsp;Yaripora police station. The grenade attack was followed by firing,&quot; he said. 
 
Police has been saying that militants merge with stone-pelters to carry out attacks on security personnel, using civilians as a shield. 
 
Curfew had been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the valley where 37 have died and more than 3,100 others, including 1,500 securitymen, injured in the weeklong clashes following Burhan&#39;s killing in an encounter in Kokernag. 
 
The decision to impose curfew was taken in view of apprehensions that vested interests might exploit the large gatherings at Friday prayers to instigate violence, an official said. 
 
Meanwhile, separatists today extended the shutdown call in Kashmir by two days till July 18. 
 
(PTI)

Indian authorities had imposed curfew in all districts of Kashmir. The number of dead since the start of the unrest has gone up to 37

One person was killed and 23 others, including 9 securitymen, were injured in violence today in Kashmir which saw mobs defying curfew in many parts to pelt stones. A police station was attacked with a grenade and firing by suspected militants from the crowd was also reported. Due to trouble in Kashmir, the Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage) continued to be suspended for the second consecutive day, with no pilgrims being allowed from Jammu to move towards the Kashmir valley. Indian authorities had imposed curfew in all the 10 districts of Kashmir fearing trouble as it was the first Friday after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. However, mobs defied curfew at many places, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore, Ganderbal, Rafiabad, Bandipora, Kulgam and Pulwama, a police official said. In Drugmulla in Kupwara district, a mob targeted Indian security forces who opened fire in response, resulting in injuries to three civilians, a police official said. One of the injured, Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, succumbed to injuries later, he said. With this death, the toll in the current unrest has gone up to 37, including one policeman. A patrol party of security forces was attacked by a mob with stones at Delina in Baramulla district this morning, injuring three security personnel, the official said. In retaliation, security forces opened fire in which three civilians were injured. Condition of all the injured is stated to be stable, he added. A youth was critically injured in firing by security forces on stone-pelting mobs at Manigam in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, the official said, adding that the injured was undergoing surgery at SMHS hospital. A mob indulged in pelted stones in Sopore and in the retaliatory action, four persons sustained pellet injuries. Two others were injured in clashes in nearby Pattan town, the official said. Two other persons were injured in a similar incident in Shopian district, he said. Yaripora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir saw a grenade attack followed by firing on a police station during stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to six police personnel, the official said. "Someone from the mob hurled a grenade at the police personnel during stone pelting on Yaripora police station. The grenade attack was followed by firing," he said. Police has been saying that militants merge with stone-pelters to carry out attacks on security personnel, using civilians as a shield. Curfew had been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the valley where 37 have died and more than 3,100 others, including 1,500 securitymen, injured in the weeklong clashes following Burhan's killing in an encounter in Kokernag. The decision to impose curfew was taken in view of apprehensions that vested interests might exploit the large gatherings at Friday prayers to instigate violence, an official said. Meanwhile, separatists today extended the shutdown call in Kashmir by two days till July 18. (PTI)

Day seven: One killed, 23 hurt in Kashmir violence

Curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir Valley, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in the rest of the Valley today as the death toll in clashes between protestors and security forces climbed to 34. 
 
Authorities confirmed death of seven more persons in the clashes that erupted Friday evening following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter. 
 
&quot;The death toll now is 34 including a policeman who was killed in mob violence.It also includes one civilian who succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Hospital this morning,&quot; a police official said. 
Mushtaq Ahmad Dar was injured on Saturday at Khudwani in Kulgam district and succumbed this morning. 
 
He said most of the deaths had occurred on Saturday when mobs attacked police and other security installations in south Kashmir but all the deaths could not be accounted for as the situation did not allow the law enforcing agencies to gather information. 
 
Yesterday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon had said the civilian death toll in the clashes was 22. 
 
According to the latest figures available, most deaths have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). 
 
Curfew continued in some parts of the Valley including Pampore town, Kupwara town and Anantnag while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in rest of the Valley, the official said. 
 
Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to a strike called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. 
 
Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. 
 
Mobile Internet and train services are still suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. 
 
Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir&#39;s four districts. 
 
(PTI)

Mobile Internet and train services are still suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area

Curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir Valley, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in the rest of the Valley today as the death toll in clashes between protestors and security forces climbed to 34. Authorities confirmed death of seven more persons in the clashes that erupted Friday evening following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter. "The death toll now is 34 including a policeman who was killed in mob violence.It also includes one civilian who succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Hospital this morning," a police official said. Mushtaq Ahmad Dar was injured on Saturday at Khudwani in Kulgam district and succumbed this morning. He said most of the deaths had occurred on Saturday when mobs attacked police and other security installations in south Kashmir but all the deaths could not be accounted for as the situation did not allow the law enforcing agencies to gather information. Yesterday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon had said the civilian death toll in the clashes was 22. According to the latest figures available, most deaths have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). Curfew continued in some parts of the Valley including Pampore town, Kupwara town and Anantnag while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in rest of the Valley, the official said. Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to a strike called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. Mobile Internet and train services are still suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir's four districts. (PTI)

Curfew remains in force, toll in Kashmir violence climbs to 34

Ensuing violence in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, after a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed last week, has claimed at least 30 lives, leaving nearly 350 people injured whilst unrest refuses to die down.&nbsp; 
 
The Muslim-majority valley of Kashmir has been placed under strict curfew over past three days paralysing normal life in most parts. Mobile internet services also remain suspended for third day running.&nbsp; 
 
In some parts of the valley, however, people have been defying restrictions triggering further clashes.&nbsp; 
 
Situation worsens in southern Kashmir&nbsp; 
 
Twenty one years old Burhan Wani, tipped as the face of new-age militancy in Kashmir, was killed earlier on Friday in an encounter in Kokernag area. Wani hailed from a village in Tral in South Kashmir, where most of his associates were based. He gained popularity through social media network.&nbsp; 
 
After his killing, tens of thousands of locals joined his funeral prayers across the disputed region. 
 
A majority of agitators, who died in last three days, belong to southern part of Kashmir, where the situation has worsened amid growing unrest.&nbsp; 
 
In summer capital Srinagar, situation further deteriorated on Sunday evening after the death of a youth.&nbsp; 
 
Tension has gripped other parts of the valley as well.&nbsp;&quot;There are clashes going on in our area between forces and locals, especially youth. So far, there is no eventuality but the situation doesn&#39;t seem to be getting better anytime soon,&quot; Owais, a resident of Bandipora in north Kashmir told Wion over phone. 
 
 
&#39;Medical emergency&#39; declared by government-run hospital in Srinagar 
 
The number of injured has also risen putting a pressure on government hospitals in the state.&nbsp; 
 
A &lsquo;medical emergency&rsquo; was declared by a government-run city hospital in Srinagar on Sunday in wake of the situation.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;The situation is very bad as we continue to receive cases of injuries from across the valley. The hospital has received nearly 200 injured patients in two days. Many of them suffered bullet injuries and with wounds from lethal weapons like pellet guns,&rdquo; Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital&#39;s Dr Adil Ashraf said. Routine admissions, theater and leaves of the doctors have been cancelled here.&nbsp; 
 
According to Dr Aadil, president, Residents Doctors Association at SMHS and associated hospitals, the government forces resorted to tear gas shelling inside hospital premises. 
 
&quot;Four lung disease patients were being treated in the emergency room when police resorted to tear gas shelling leading to severe suffocation of patients,&quot; he said. 
 
A local, Mehraj Din, who was attending a 70-year-old man inside the hospital, claimed the police have beaten attendants inside the hospital. &quot;This will make the suituation only worse as there is already too much anger among locals,&quot; he said. 
 
The hospital administration added the staff received calls from many doctors that ambulances were not allowed by Indian forces at several places adding to not only the &#39;shortage of staff but putting patients&#39; lives at risk&#39;. 
 
&#39;Authorities seldom impose curfew here&#39; 
 
Omaid Rather, a resident of an uptown locality of Srinagar which usually does not witness protests, is stuck in his home from past several days.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The shops around here in Jawahar Nagar usually remain open even on public strikes and the authorities seldom impose curfew here but it is the opposite this time. The shops open for an hour in the early morning only that is when we buy food and other items,&quot; Rather said. 
 
If the restrictions and clashes continue, the locality, according to residents, may run out of medical supplies and subsistence which is transported via state highway, that has also been closed.&nbsp; 
 
Shutdown call by separatists extended by two days&nbsp; 
 
In the meanwhile, tourists in Kashmir are preferring to leave the tension-hit valley. &nbsp; 
 
Further, the annual pilgrimage to Amanath cave, carried out by hundreds of thousands Hindu pilgrims also remained suspended on Monday, in view of violence. A police handout said the stranded pilgrims near several camps have been evacuated to a different city. 
 
&quot;Till 1200 hours, 2,462 Yatris (pilgrims) left these camps for the holy cave, the pilgrim site, today. The air services are also going normally and 449 pilgrims left to visit the holy cave by air. As many as 2,799 pilgrims visited the pilgrim site today,&quot; an official statement by the state police said.&nbsp; 
 
As many as 1,28,946 pilgrims have visited the holy cave so far since the pilgrimage began from July 2. 
 
Meanwhile, the shutdown call by separatist politicians has been extended to next two days till Wednesday.&nbsp;

Majority of agitators, who died in the last 3 days, belong to the southern part of Kashmir where the situation has gradually worsened

Ensuing violence in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, after a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed last week, has claimed at least 30 lives, leaving nearly 350 people injured whilst unrest refuses to die down. The Muslim-majority valley of Kashmir has been placed under strict curfew over past three days paralysing normal life in most parts. Mobile internet services also remain suspended for third day running. In some parts of the valley, however, people have been defying restrictions triggering further clashes. Situation worsens in southern Kashmir Twenty one years old Burhan Wani, tipped as the face of new-age militancy in Kashmir, was killed earlier on Friday in an encounter in Kokernag area. Wani hailed from a village in Tral in South Kashmir, where most of his associates were based. He gained popularity through social media network. After his killing, tens of thousands of locals joined his funeral prayers across the disputed region. A majority of agitators, who died in last three days, belong to southern part of Kashmir, where the situation has worsened amid growing unrest. In summer capital Srinagar, situation further deteriorated on Sunday evening after the death of a youth. Tension has gripped other parts of the valley as well. "There are clashes going on in our area between forces and locals, especially youth. So far, there is no eventuality but the situation doesn't seem to be getting better anytime soon," Owais, a resident of Bandipora in north Kashmir told Wion over phone. 'Medical emergency' declared by government-run hospital in Srinagar The number of injured has also risen putting a pressure on government hospitals in the state. A ‘medical emergency’ was declared by a government-run city hospital in Srinagar on Sunday in wake of the situation. “The situation is very bad as we continue to receive cases of injuries from across the valley. The hospital has received nearly 200 injured patients in two days. Many of them suffered bullet injuries and with wounds from lethal weapons like pellet guns,” Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital's Dr Adil Ashraf said. Routine admissions, theater and leaves of the doctors have been cancelled here. According to Dr Aadil, president, Residents Doctors Association at SMHS and associated hospitals, the government forces resorted to tear gas shelling inside hospital premises. "Four lung disease patients were being treated in the emergency room when police resorted to tear gas shelling leading to severe suffocation of patients," he said. A local, Mehraj Din, who was attending a 70-year-old man inside the hospital, claimed the police have beaten attendants inside the hospital. "This will make the suituation only worse as there is already too much anger among locals," he said. The hospital administration added the staff received calls from many doctors that ambulances were not allowed by Indian forces at several places adding to not only the 'shortage of staff but putting patients' lives at risk'. 'Authorities seldom impose curfew here' Omaid Rather, a resident of an uptown locality of Srinagar which usually does not witness protests, is stuck in his home from past several days. "The shops around here in Jawahar Nagar usually remain open even on public strikes and the authorities seldom impose curfew here but it is the opposite this time. The shops open for an hour in the early morning only that is when we buy food and other items," Rather said. If the restrictions and clashes continue, the locality, according to residents, may run out of medical supplies and subsistence which is transported via state highway, that has also been closed. Shutdown call by separatists extended by two days In the meanwhile, tourists in Kashmir are preferring to leave the tension-hit valley. Further, the annual pilgrimage to Amanath cave, carried out by hundreds of thousands Hindu pilgrims also remained suspended on Monday, in view of violence. A police handout said the stranded pilgrims near several camps have been evacuated to a different city. "Till 1200 hours, 2,462 Yatris (pilgrims) left these camps for the holy cave, the pilgrim site, today. The air services are also going normally and 449 pilgrims left to visit the holy cave by air. As many as 2,799 pilgrims visited the pilgrim site today," an official statement by the state police said. As many as 1,28,946 pilgrims have visited the holy cave so far since the pilgrimage began from July 2. Meanwhile, the shutdown call by separatist politicians has been extended to next two days till Wednesday.

30 dead in violence-torn Kashmir valley as clashes, protests continue for third day

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