Jammu and Kashmir violence: Toll of injured touches 227

Srinagar, March 8: Twenty-five people, including securitymen and protesters, were injured across the valley Friday in clashes between security forces and stone-pelting mobs Friday, taking the total number of injured in clashes during the week to 227.

About 104 vehicles were also damaged in the clashes over the past few days, police said here Friday.

An ambulance was also damaged by a mob in Pattan town of Baramulla district Friday.

Curfew was imposed in Srinagar city and all other major towns of the valley to prevent breach of law and order by unruly mobs.

In a press statement, police said: "During the past few days in tackling the situation, 192 people including 109 policemen and 73 CRPF personnel were injured."

The statement added that "103 vehicles, including 18 civilian and two tourists vehicles were damaged by miscreants in stone pelting at various places in South Kashmir, districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Awantipora, Kulgam and Shopian. They include 35 police vehicles, 45 CRPF vehicles and three government vehicles.

A court complex at Dooru (Anantnag) and the government resthouse there was also damaged. Windowpanes and two desktop computers of a private company at Semthan, a hotel in Pulwama and an animal husbandry department building in Shopian were also damagaed.

The valley has been on the boil March 5 when a 24-year youth was killed allegedly in firing by security forces in Baramulla town.

The state police has lodged an FIR against security forces believed to be involved in the firing. The FIR also names a colonel of a counter-insurgency unit.

The army has also started a court of inquiry (COI) into the incident. The COI headed by a brigadier has reportedly asked the state police to provide it names of people who might have been present at the firing spot.

Meanwhile, the family of the slain youth has declined to accept the ex-gratia cash relief announced by the state government.

Sajad Ahmad Sofi, brother of the dead youth, told reporters that the family wants those responsible for the killing to be brought to justice.

IANS