Curfew continues in Kashmir, eleven injured in clashes

Eleven people, including nine policemen, were injured in clashes in the strike-hit KashmirValley even as curfew remained in force in several areas in the wake of the killing of a youth allegedly in Army firing in Baramulla on Tuesday.

Clashes between stone-pelting mobs and police were reported from Hyderpora, Batmaloo and Zakoora in Srinagar, Khanpora, CementBridge and Palhalan in Baramulla, Narbal crossing in Budgam, Papchan in Bandipora and Cherkoot-Lolab in Kupwara district, a police spokesman said.

"Nine policemen and two civilians received minor injuries in the clashes," he said, adding that police exercised maximum restrain to restore law and order.

Barring these clashes, the spokesman said the situation across the Valley remained largely peaceful.

The spokesman said curfew remains in force in eight police station areas of Srinagar city and Sopore (Baramulla district), Trehgam (Kupwara district) and Kulgam towns.

The police station areas where curfew is in force in the city are Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Safakadal, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Zadibal, Kralkhud and Maisuma, the spokesman said.

Curfew was clamped in these areas on Tuesday night following widespread protests over the killing of a youth allegedly in army firing at Baramulla during protests against high handedness of soldiers.

Army has claimed that its personnel were surrounded by a mob of around 200 people and the situation had turned life threatening for the soldiers.

It also claimed that the soldiers had fired warning shots in air and could not have caused death. The Army, while ordering an internal inquiry, also sought a detailed probe by police into the incident to find out the truth.

Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in large numbers in vulnerable areas of the city and other parts of the Valley to maintain law and order.

Although there was no call for shutdown by separatist groups, a spontaneous shutdown was observed in areas where curfew has not been imposed for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday. Shops and business establishments remained closed while public transport remained off the roads.

KashmirUniversity, meanwhile, has postponed all examinations scheduled for today and tomorrow in view of the prevailing situation in the Valley.

A spokesman of the University said fresh dates for the examinations will be notified later on.