Kashmir, September 14: At least two people were injured when security forces allegedly opened fire to chase away a stone-pelting mob in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Tuesday morning. Rampaging crowd burnt down a school building in Pulwama and a house of police man.
A group of people defied curfew and indulged in heavy stone-pelting on the police and paramilitary forces, official sources said.
They said the security forces initially used teargas shells and batons to disperse the protestors but after they refused to disperse, warning shots were fired.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, curfew was extended to all major towns in the valley after 17 people were killed and over 70 injured on Monday in violent clashes between the protestors and security forces in Kashmir,
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A police spokesman said that the curfew has been imposed in fresh areas as a precautionary measure and to prevent people from coming out on roads.
Srinagar city, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Awantipora, Lethpora, Pampore and Pulwama towns in south Kashmir and Sopore town in north Kashmir were already under curfew since Sunday.
The new areas that have been brought under the ambit of prohibitory orders include Budgam town, Choon, Mirgund, Ompora, Narkara, Shekhpora, Humhama, I.G.Road, Gulwanpora, Nadir Gund, Chadoora and Wathoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Curfew was also imposed in Ganderbal and Kangan towns, Kulgam, Qoimoh, Shopian town, Baramulla town, Tangmarg, Kupwara town, Tregham, Kralpora, Handwara, Chotipora, Kulangam and Bandipora town.
Spokesman said a mob took out the belongings and bedding of police personnel from a police post at Khanabal-Pahalgam Road in Anantnag town last night and set them on fire.
A troops carrier of the state police was torched at Charier Sharief in Budgam district, he said.
At least 17people, including a policeman on Monday were killed in police firing after violence erupted over the rumours of burning of the Holy Book Quran in the US.
The state cabinet on Monday appealed to the people not to take law in their hands.
Also read: Unrest in Kashmir a major concern: PM
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed utter concern over the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also sought to reach out to the people in the state, saying their grievances have to be addressed and promised talks within the Indian Constitution with those who abjure violence.
Omar Obdullah has called an all-party meet on Wednesday but there is little chance of any party taking part in this meet.
—Agencies