Kashmir violence: Life paralysed for third day, toll at 23

The death toll in the clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir mounted to 23.  
“Two persons have died in an incident of violence in Kulgam district on Sunday and have been identified as Feroze Ahmad Mir, 22, and Khursheed Ahmad Mir, 38,” a police official said. More than 250 persons have been injured in the violence and the situation continues to be tense across the Valley.

Mobile telephony has been suspended in the four districts of south Kashmir since Friday evening as violent protests erupted following killing of Wani in an encounter with security forces.

Curfew-like restrictions continued to be in place in many parts of the Valley including parts of Srinagar city, where the first death in the clashes occurred on Sunday evening.

Authorities have strengthened the presence of security forces in vulnerable areas of the city and elsewhere in the Valley to contain the protests, a police official said. He said the restrictions were being enforced strictly on Monday to avoid any further loss of life or damage to property.

Shops, private offices, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut, while government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance, officials said.  Public transport was completely off the roads while private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying at few places in the areas where there were no restrictions, they said.

Around 25,000 stranded Amarnath pilgrims being moved from Baltal and Pahalgam to Jammu in 2,000 vehicles; these yatris were stranded for last 3 days.