Srinagar curfew: 50 injured as police open fire

{image-jammu curfew_25082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Srinagar, Aug 25: More than 50 people were injured, 20 of them with bullet wounds, when security forces opened fire, burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse processionists who defied curfew restrictions at different parts of the valley on Monday, Aug 25. Official sources said people at Safapora, Hajin, defying curfew, took to the restrictions streets raising pro-freedom slogans.

However, when they were marching towards the main road, security forces resorted to lathicharge which had no affect on the processionists, who insisted that they should be allowed to march towards Lal Chowk. Later security forces opened fire injuring more than 15 protesters, sources said.

However, a police spokesman said the mob turned violent and pelted stones on security forces. He said some rounds of bullet were fired by the mob injuring two CRPF and two police personnel. The security forces retaliated resulting in injures to about 15 protesters.

However, the situation has been brought under control, the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, locals refuted the claim of the spokesman and said security forces resorted to unprovoked firing on peaceful processionists who were only raising slogans. They alleged that four people were killed and 30 others wounded in the security force firing.

The spokesman said at Hiree, Kupwara, security forces had to resort to lathicharge and burst teargas to control a violent mob.

He said as the violence did not subside, the security forces had to open fire causing injuries to two people.

Hundreds of people at Batmaloo defied the curfew restrictions and took to the streets', raising pro freedom slogans and demanding opening of the Jehlum Valley and other roads with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for trade and free movement.

As they were marching towards the general bus stand, the CRPF lathicharged them. About ten people were injured in the CRPF action.

UNI