﻿ Clashes, curfew in tense Kashmir after army killings | News | Al Jazeera

Clashes, curfew in tense Kashmir after army killings

Seventy-year old woman latest to die as protesters face off with police for a second day in Indian-administered Kashmir.

     The incident has heightened tensions in the region, where many resent the large Indian troop presence [EPA]



    He was part of hundreds of rock-throwing protesters who clashed with government forces for a second day as authorities enforced a curfew in Srinagar, Handwara, and neighbouring villages.


    A resident from Handwara told Al Jazeera that clashes continued throughout the day even though shops and schools were closed and streets deserted because of a security lockdown.

    A nurse at the local hospital in the government sub-district hospital in Langate told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity that about 20 people had been brought in for treatment for tear gas and gunshot wounds.   

    The army said it regretted the loss of life and the matter was being investigated [Reuters]

    Mehbooba Mufti, who recently took over as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir state, said the killings would have a "negative impact" on her government's peace efforts in the region.

    Police said a 70-year-old woman, who was hit by gunfire and was among a dozen injured during clashes between residents and government forces on Tuesday, died in hospital on Wednesday. Two others also died from army gunfire.

    The protest and clashes in the northern town of Handwara erupted on Tuesday following an allegation by residents that an Indian army soldier had tried to sexually assault a teenage schoolgirl. 

    The police said preliminary reports indicated there was no such incident of molestation and that it may have been an attempt by locals to create trouble.

    Rage in Kashmir over killing of youths by Indian army

    Indian military, police and government officials, wary of the killings escalating the conflict in the volatile region, ordered investigations.

    "The incident will be investigated and anybody found guilty will be severely dealt with," Indian army commander General D S Hooda said in a statement.

    Rights groups, however, say such investigations rarely yield any concrete results and are often aimed at calming public anger.

    Police Inspector General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said the soldiers fired at protesters when they tried to torch their bunker.

     Thousands joined a funeral procession for the four people who died in the clashes [Reuters]

    Shortly after the woman's burial, clashes broke out as villagers defied the curfew and hurled rocks at government forces, who responded by firing tear gas.

    "She was working in her orchard 4km away from the protest site. The soldiers came and shot her. It's a plain murder," said villager Ghulam Mohammed Shah.

    Later on Wednesday, hundreds joined the funeral of two young men and shouted "Go India, go back" and "We want freedom."

    Meanwhile, the separatist groups challenging India's sovereignty over Kashmir called for a general strike on Thursday and anti-India protests on Friday.

    Anti-India sentiment runs deep among the population of Kashmir, and human rights groups have long accused the Indian military of using rape and sexual molestation to intimidate the local population.


    Hundreds of thousands of Indian troops are deployed in the region, making it one of the world's most militarised zones. They enjoy immunity from prosecution in civilian courts unless specifically permitted by New Delhi.

     Protests have spread from Handwara to other parts of Indian-administered Kashmir [AP]

    SOURCE: Al Jazeera and agencies


    A journey through Romania in the time of coronavirus

    A journey through Romania in the time of coronavirus


    Life after death row: The pastor praying for Nigeria's prisoners

    The Nigerian pastor adapting to life after death row


    What it means to love a dead child

    What it means to love a dead child
