Kashmir remained tense on Wednesday as another youth was killed in fresh clashes between protesters and security forces in the valley amid curfew-like restrictions. The death toll has now increased to four.
The youth, identified as Jehangir Ahmad Wani, died after being hit by a teargas shell in the head during protests in Drugmulla, about 95 km from Srinagar.
Wani was taken to a hospital, where doctors said he was brought dead, a police official said. Two others were injured in clashes with security forces.
Inquiry Ordered After Mufti Met Parrikar
Northern Army Commander Lt General DS Hooda visited the affected area in Handwara and pushed for early completion of probe into the killings.
An Assistant Sub-Inspector of Jammu and Kashmir Police was suspended and an inquiry was ordered after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti discussed the matter with Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
The firing took place after protests broke out over allegations that a girl was molested by a soldier.
Curfew-Like Situation
A curfew was in place in the Handwara region after three people were killed when the army opened fire on protesting Kashmiris citizens on Tuesday.
A curfew was imposed in six police station areas of Srinagar and Handwara – Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safakadal and Maisuma – a police official said. Protests were reported from these six regions along with a number of other places, on Wednesday.
However, the official said, in view of Baisakhi, the movement of members of the Sikh community was allowed.
A call for a strike by separatist groups resulted in most of the shops, business establishments and petrol pumps staying shut in several areas of the state.
Army Says Video Vindicates its Stand
In an unverified video, the girl is seen saying that no army personnel was present in the restroom which she entered.
In the video that has been played on all majore news channels, the girl is seen saying:
Male voice: You are like my daughter
Another male voice: Please tell us what happened Girl: Sir, When I left from the school, I was passing by it (doesn’t mention the name of the place). I handed my bag to a friend and went inside the washroom (bathroom). As soon as I came out of the washroom, I took my bag from my friend. Suddenly, a boy grabbed my bag and slapped me.
Male Voice: Was he a civilian?
Girl: Yes sir, he was wearing a uniform. He slapped me and said, ‘have Kashmiris died?’ I raised my voice and asked him what do you mean? In the meantime, a lot of boys assembled at the scene. He told me to come to police station. There was an police officer at the scene.
Male voice: He bought you…(interrupted)
Girl: No, I told him that I will go to police station with the police officer and give back my bag. He refused to handover my bag and started abusing me verbally. I didn’t see anyone clearly.
There was Hilal bhai (Someone known) in the crowd. He slapped me and asked me what were doing here? I told him Hilal Bhai, you know me and my family. Are you asking me the same thing?
He started asking me questions. They had already discussed it among themselves. All of them asked me different things.
Later, I was beaten by the boy. He even followed me to this place. He wouldn’t even leave my bag. Then Shafi uncle intervened and and asked the boy to leave it. He was instigating other boys as well.
Even though the army condemned the incident, it maintained that no army personnel was involved in the incident.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)