News Flash

5 more killed in violent protest in India-controlled Kashmir

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-04 01:35

SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir - Five people were killed Tuesday and several others injured in unrelenting violence for the fifth straight day across India- controlled Kashmir, officials said.

Four people were killed after being hit by bullets fired by police and paramilitary troopers trying to impose strict restrictions, while as fifth one, a previously injured succumbed in the hospital.

Three deaths took place in Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir, after police opened fire on defiant protesters protesting against New Delhi's rule in the region.

The demonstrators were shouting slogans "We want freedom, Blood for Blood! and Go India Go Back!", while defying curfew restrictions in Srinagar city.

"Five deaths have taken place today. Three in Srinagar city, one in Kulgam and a previously injured in police station blast succumbed to injuries in hospital," said a police official, authorized not to talk to media.

Tuesday's deaths have taken death toll to 27 since Friday, the day fresh violence erupted.

On Monday eight civilians were killed at different places across region.

Reports pouring in from more than a dozen places said protesters threw rocks and brick pieces on contingents of police and paramilitary troopers, who retaliate by firing tear smoke shells and bullets.

There are reports of protesters attacking government and police property and police and paramilitary troopers breaking window panes of houses and civilian buildings.

Police spokesman said mobs set ablaze government office in Sopore, police posts in villages of Budgam and Kulgam.

The deaths have pushed the region back on the edge and Tuesday killings have taken the death toll of civilians to 44 in police and paramilitary actions in past seven weeks.

Throughout the day police vehicles fitted with public address systems were announcing strict curfew in the Srinagar city and warning civilians that "shoot at sight" orders were in place for the violators.

Meanwhile additional paramilitary troopers are being rushed to the region to contain protests and enforce strict curfew restrictions.

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The decision to rush more troops to troubled region was taken in an emergency meeting between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at New Delhi Monday.

The unrest has mounted pressure on local government which until now has been unable to contain the protests and restore normalcy in the region.

The hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who was admitted in hospital during detention, was re-arrested Tuesday. Geelani had called for a protest march to Martyears graveyard at Eidgah and had assured of a peaceful march in case government eases restrictions.

Hardline separatist alliance Hurriyat Conference initiated a " Quit Kashmir movement" in the region and is rolling out strike programme week after week.

For the last more than one month, life across Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir remained affected either due to strike calls or curfew imposed by authorities.