One killed, police station set on fire in north Kashmir

Baramulla, June 24 (UNI) At least one student was killed and a woman injured when security forces opened fire to disperse demonstrators, who set on fire police station Pattan on the Baramulla-Srinagar road today.

Official sources said thousands of people took to streets after a student was killed and a woman was injured in firing by security force on protesters at Palhalan earlier during the day.

Later, the demonstrators went in a procession to Pattan to lodge a protest there. However, when police tried to stop them, they turned violent and set on fire Pattan police station.

Police resorted to lathicharge and also fired to disperse the demonstrators, sources said adding more than 25 people were injured in stone pelting and police action.

The trouble started when a misfire from the weapon of a security jawan of a Road Opening Party (ROP) at Palhalan caused panic among the people, including students, waiting near a local bus stop. When the people started running, security forces mistook it as an attack and allegedly beat some of the (people).

Later, a large number of people gathered there and started protesting against the ''beating up of people'' by security forces.

The demonstrators also blocked traffic on the highway.

A TDC student Tariq Ahmad was killed and a woman was injured when security forces opened fire to disperse the demonstrators.

The highway remained closed and traffic was diverted via Sumbal, the sources said.

UNI XC/BAS YA KP1732