One killed, 35 injured in Kashmir protests

Srinagar, Sep 6 (UNI) One person was killed and 35 others wounded when security forces and police opened fire, burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse pro-freedom shouting processionists in the downtown city this afternoon.

Official sources said hundreds of people, mostly youths, took to the streets at Nowhatta and other downtown areas this afternoon after mid-day prayers.

Raising ''pro-freedom'' and Islamic slogans, the processionists were marching towards the main city, a large number of police and security force personnel stopped them. However, when they insisted that they be allowed to move forward, security forces resorted to lathicharge which had no effect on the processionists who started regrouping again.

Later police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets to disperse them.

The sources said one the rubber bullet hit a youth Javid Ahmad in the heart. He was immediately shifted to hospital where he died before doctors could operate upon him.

The body of Javid was later brought back to Nowhatta in a procession, a UNI correspondent on the spot saw.

About 35 others, including some police personnel, were also injured in the clash which spread to other nearby areas.

The situation elsewhere in the city remained by and large peaceful, barring some incidents of road block and burning of tyres.

UNI BAS RR KN1545