1 died and 7 injured in police firing in central Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 15 (UNI) One person was killed and seven others injured, when police opened fire to disperse villagers who were demanding opening of a degree college at Magam in central Kashmir, official sources said today.

Hundreds of people, mostly students, took to streets at Magam in Badgam district, demanding the opening of a degree college in the area.

When the processionists were marching towards main road, the police tried to stop them, the sources said.

When they refused to disperse, the police opened fire injuring eight people, including a police constable.

One of the injured, Zahoor Ahmad, later died on way to hospital.

The injured were admitted to different hospitals, the sources said.

A police spokesman said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Badgam, Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari was also present on the spot when the incident took place.

Mr Bukhari said a group of agitators had set a State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) bus afire.

The SSP said the miscreants also snatched a weapon from a police constable, injuring him and six others. One of the injured later died.

The spokesman said Inspector General of Police S M Sahai, who was in Jammu to attend an official meeting rushed back here to take stock of the situation.

UNI