Curfew imposed in Kashmir, HC leader among 8 killed 300 injured

Srinagar, Aug 11 (UNI) An indefinite curfew was imposed this afternoon in the summer capital, Srinagar, and other towns in the Kashmir valley following widespread violence that left eight people, including senior Hurriyat Conference (HC) leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz dead and more than 300 wounded.

The injured included about 100 security force and police personnel, four of them critically. Two were later airlifted to Srinagar for treatment.

However, a police spokesman late tonight said four persons, including Mr Aziz were killed. Without mentioning the number of injured civilians, he said 100 police and other security personnel were injured.

Meanwhile, chairmen of both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and two former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ministers are under house arrest.

Sources told UNI that curfew has been imposed in the entire city this afternoon.

This decision was taken after widespread violence and demonstrations in different parts of the valley today.

Official sources said curfew would be imposed in other district and tehsil headquarters as a precautionary measure.

Security forces and police opened fire, burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse processionists who were trying to join the Muzaffarabad March at different places in the Kashmir valley today, resulting in the death of eight persons --five near Sheri, two at Sangrama Delina and one at Qamarwari-- and injuries to 300 persons.

Police spokesman said curfew has been imposed in Srinagar and other districts.

The Muzaffarabad X X X Eds here picking up here from Para 8 of DR-73 ''AGITATION-KASHMIR-OVERALL LEAD''.

UNI BAS FMH MIR RAI2233