Undeclared curfew claims student's life in JK

Baramulla, Nov 22: A class X student was killed and another injured, when the guards of a Congress candidate allegedly opened fire at Khanpora in the town on Saturday, Nov 22. Meanwhile, undeclared curfew continued in the old town since last evening, while life remained paralysed due to spontaneous strike elsewhere in the town, which goes to the poll on Dec 7 in the fourth phase along with 17 other constituencies.

Official sources said Congress candidate Mushtaq Ahmad Mir was passing from Khanpora area, when his guards opened direct firing on people without any provocation.

They said the guards opened fire in panic after they saw people on the roadside, apprehending stone pelting.

Sources said Manzoor Ahmad, who was to take his class X examination tomorrow died on the spot after being hit by a bullet.

However, when the body of Manzoor was being taken to main town, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) opened fire, in which one Mohammad Rafi was injured.

Later, hundreds of people took to the streets and clashed with the security forces, protesting the unprovoked firing and undeclared curfew restrictions in the old town. Sources said about ten people, including three CRPF personnel were injured in the clash. The authorities imposed undeclared curfew restrictions in the old town, fearing trouble as security forces had allegedly damaged window panes of dozens of houses, following pro-freedom and anti-election demonstrations after Friday prayers yesterday.

Residents of the old town alleged that they were not being allowed to purchase milk, vegetables and bread by the security forces deployed in large number.

We are not being allowed to move out of our houses since last night, residents told UNI over phone.

They said security forces had informed them that the curfew has been imposed and anybody found violating the restrictions will be dealt with firmly.

Life in elsewhere in the town remained paralysed as shops and business establishments remained closed in protest against the security forces action yesterday.

UNI