Boy's killing sparks fresh clashes, curfew in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Curfew remained in force in seven police station areas of the city on Saturday following the death of a minor boy, who was injured during clashes between protestors and security forces in Safakadal area of the city.

12-year-old Junaid Akhoon succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Hospital at Soura late last night, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir to 84, a police official said.

Akhoon was hit by pellets in the head and chest at Saidapora in Safakadal police station area on Friday during clashes between protestors and security forces, the official said.

“Curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure in seven police station areas of Srinagar city,” the official said here. Police station areas where curfew has been imposed are Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Maisuma and Batamaloo.

Normal life remained affected for the 92nd day in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

Meanwhile, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a time-bound probe into the death of the boy. “PDP has demanded immediate, time-bound probe,” a party spokesman said in a statement here.

The spokesman said the party is anguished over reports of use of “unwarranted force”. The PDP spokesman said a deputation of respectable people from Eidgah locality of downtown area visited the party headquarters and stated that the deceased “was not involved in any protest...which called for a probe and action as a follow up”.