One dies and 15 injured in police firing in central Kashmir

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

Official sources said hundreds of people, mostly students, took to the streets at Magam in Badgam district today, demanding opening of a degree college in the area.

They said when the processionists were marching towards main road, police tried to stop them.

However, the processionists refused to disperse, police opened fire, resulting in injuries to five people.

Nine policemen, and one CRPF man were also injured in the clash.

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

The injured were admitted to different hospitals, sources said.

The situation was very tense after the police firing, sources said.

Badgam Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari said a group of miscreants in the agitators set afire a State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) bus.

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

He 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