Death toll reaches 104; curfew clamped in Valley

Curfew remained in force in Kashmir Valley for the 11th day on Wednesday even as the death toll in the ongoing agitation rose to 104 after a youth succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Srinagar.

Although curfew was relaxed in a phased manner across the Valley on Tuesday, the authorities decided to impose it on Wednesday apparently in view of the weekly agitation calendar issued by hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

The death toll in the ongoing agitation on Wednesday rose to 104 after a youth, allegedly injured in firing by security forces on September 13 at Humhama in Budgam district, died, the spokesman said.

Sajad Ahmad Pandit, a resident of Shiekhpora in Humhama area, succumbed to injuries at SKIMS hospital in Srinagar early on Wednesday morning, he said.

The hardline leader had exempted the day from protests and strikes, and asked people to carry out their normal activities.

A police spokesman said the preceding night passed off peacefully while the law and order situation across the Valley so far was normal and under control.

"There are no reports of any untoward incident from any where in the Valley so far," the spokesman said.

Curfew restrictions continued to remain in force in all the major towns of Kashmir Valley, including the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

The other towns include Warpora, Mirgund, IG road, Nadir gund, Budgam town, Choon, Humhama, Wattdara, Gogoo, Ompora, Narkara, Shiekhpora, Galwanpora, Chadoora, Panzan, Nagam, Machawa, Kralpora, Wathora, Dawlatpora, Hassipora, Alamdar Colony, Charar-i-Shareif in central Kashmir Budgam district.

Kangan and Ganderbal towns in the north east of Srinagar, Anantang, Bijbehara, Kulgam town Qoimoh, Pulwama town, Kakapora, Shopian town, Awantipora, Lethpora, and Pampore in South Kashmir and Baramulla town, Delina, Pattan, Singhpora, Kunzar, Palhalan, Tangmarg, Soporetown, Wattergam, Kralpora, Trehgam, Kupwara town, Handwara town, Kulangam, Chotipora,Bandipora town, and Sumbal in north Kashmir also remained under curfew.

Curfew was imposed in Srinagar city on September 12 and was extended to the entire Kashmir Valley next day following widespread violence.

Kashmir Valley has been in grip of violent protests since June 11 when a 17-year-old boy was killed after he was hit by a tear smoke shell fired by police to disperse protestors at Rajouri Kadal in interior city.