A teenager was killed in army firing today as protests erupted in various parts of Kashmir where authorities claimed curfew was lifted from all the areas of the Valley after an overall "improvement in situation".
As the state government was gearing up to receive an all- party delegation on Sunday, separatists today extended their strike call till September 8 and directed the people to occupy roads connecting the Srinagar airport with the city.
The day started with protests in Rafiabad, 45 km from here, during which 15-year-old Danish Manzoor was killed when army personnel were trying to chase away a stone throwing mob.
With this, the toll rose to 69 in the unrest which has been continuing for last 53 days since July 8 when Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter. There were no casualties in the last three days and protests had also subdued during this period.
In other parts of the Valley, protesters attacked the residence of PDP Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmad Laway at Chawalgam in Kulgam district by pelting stones and setting ablaze the guard room.
Two police security guards of the MP were injured in the incident while three to four service weapons of the policemen were reported missing, a police official said, adding the MP and his family were not present at home when the incident took place.
Giving details of the day's incidents, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan said some shots were fired at the Army convoy at Ladoora in Rafiabad area of Baramulla district.
"As per a report from the police, a mob of more than 900 people attacked an army convoy at Ladoora, Rafiabad and amid stone pelting some shots were fired on the army convoy (which was) on way to Kupwara.
"The Army fired some rounds in air to disperse the mob. In the incident four persons were injured and one of the injured identified as Danish Manzoor succumbed to injuries," Khan said and added that police has initiated investigation in the matter.
He claimed that with the improvement in overall situation, curfew has been lifted from all the areas of Kashmir today. "Curfew was today lifted from Nowhatta and Maharjgunj areas of Srinagar. With this curfew has now been lifted from entire Kashmir valley as no area in any district of Valley is under restrictions," the Divisional Commissioner said.
Increased movement of vehicular traffic and public was witnessed in almost all towns and Srinagar city, he said, adding barring stray stone pelting incidents, the situation remained peaceful across the valley.
However, according to sources clashes took place between protesters and security forces at several places in which over 100 people were hurt.
Dozens of protesters, who were taking out a rally in Ashmuqam area of Anantnag district, were injured in the action of law enforcing agencies, the sources quoted reports reaching here. The protesters resorted to stone-pelting on security forces after they fired tear smoke shells.
Similar clashes were reported from Qaimoh area of south Kashmir where over two dozen people were hurt. In Pulwama district's Muran area, at least 15 people were injured in clashes with security forces.
In Kaloosa area of Bandipora, 11 people including a girl were injured in security forces action against protesters. Sopore town also witnessed clashes between protesters and security forces after the latter allegedly did not allow the fruit dealers to load the apple produce onto trucks for delivery terminal markets outside the state.
The separatists, who are spearheading the ongoing agitation, have extended the shutdown programme till September 8 and also people to occupy the Srinagar Airport road on the day Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to lead the all-party delegation to the Valley.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
