Clashes in Kashmir after army kills two civilians

Published November 4, 2014
Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street during curfew in Srinagar, Nov 4, 2014. - AP
Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street during curfew in Srinagar, Nov 4, 2014. - AP

SRINAGAR: Hundreds of angry protesters clashed with police in India-held Kashmir on Tuesday, a day after soldiers shot dead two civilians, police said.

Police in Srinagar fired tear gas to disperse crowds of protesters chanting anti-India slogans and hurling rocks, an officer told AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The protests came after soldiers fired at a private car on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday killing two passengers and critically wounding another two.

Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the “avoidable deaths” had marred the political atmosphere, already strained by devastating floods in September, ahead of state elections due to start later this month.

“Such killings have no place in an otherwise improving security environment where militancy incidents are at record low levels,” Abdullah tweeted.

Separatists opposed to Indian rule have called for a strike on Wednesday to protest against the killings. Police registered a criminal case against the soldiers, while the army ordered an enquiry into what it called the “unfortunate loss of lives".

“Nothing incriminating was found from the possession of slain or injured youth,” police officer Muhammad Irshad told Greater Kashmir, a local daily.

The two victims were buried on Tuesday as Shia Muslims marked Ashura, traditionally a flashpoint day in Indian-held Kashmir.

The traditional mourning procession has been banned in the state since 1990 when an armed rebellion against Indian rule broke out.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, but both claim the region in full.

Tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, have died in fighting between Indian forces and a dozen rebel groups seeking independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan.

Kashmir is still reeling from devastating floods that killed more than 200 people and destroyed public infrastructure and businesses in September.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.