SRINAGAR: A 19-year-old girl died of cardiac arrest in South Kashmir’s Shopian district allegedly during clashes on Monday, taking the death toll of people killed in the ongoing unrest triggered by killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani to 87.
Two school buildings were gutted in mysterious circumstances in South Kashmir while police arrested 45 youth indulging in stone pelting in last 24 hours.
19-year-old girl identified as Khusboo Jan daughter of Muhammad Hussain of Gadafpora, Shopian died to cardiac arrest during clashes in Chathwatan village in Shopian district.
The locals said the girl said was part of protestors in Chathwatan village to attend a pro-freedom rally at the neighboring Vihil village, which was put under curfew by the authorites.
They said as the number of protestors swelled, police fired tear smoke shells and resorted to heavy baton to disperse the protestors.
“During the chase by security personnel, Khusboo fell on the ground. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead,” they said.
A health official said the girl died of a cardiac arrest. “However, we can’t say what triggered the cardiac arrest”.
Police denied the charge that the girl died of heart attack after clashes between security forces and protestors in Vehil, Shopian.
“Gaddapora , the home of said girl is about 7 Km away from the Vehil, where the clashes took place. As per the hospital authorities the girl has died in all likelihood because of cardiac arrest. The death of the girl is no way related to the incident that happened at Vehil,” he said.
With the girl’s death, the death toll of people killed in ongoing unrest in the Valley has risen to 87.
Over 11,000 civilians have also been injured in the clashes between youth and security personnel in Valley since July 9, when unrest broke out following killing of Burhan Wani.
A police official said curfew remained in force in some areas in Srinagar and Shopian, Pulwama and Baramulla towns to foil marches called by the separatists.
“In other parts of the Valley, restrictions remained in force to prevent people from taking to roads and staging anti-India demonstrations,” he said.
The life in the Valley has remained crippled for last 73 days due to curbs imposed by authorities and shutdown called by separatists.
Massive clashes took place between youth and security personnel at Vehil village in South Kashmir’s Shopian district after security men foiled an attempt of locals to stage a rally in the village.
During the clashes, a school building caught fire under mysterious circumstances.
Police blamed protestors for setting the school building on fire. However, the locals denied the charge and accused police of setting the Middle school building on fire.
Another school building was gutted in mysterious fire at Lal Chowk area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
“The cause of the fire is not known yet. We have registered a case to ascertain the facts,” police said.
In South Kashmir’s restive Pulwama district, Army today conducted flag march to maintain law and order and foil protests.
A police spokesman said barring stray stone pelting incidents, overall situation in Valley remained under control.
He said the police was continuing its crackdown against stone pelters.
“Police arrested 45 miscreants during past 24 hours. They were involved in disturbing the situation in the valley by placing obstructions on roads/lanes, damaging civilian vehicles and shops,” he said.
Police has launched crackdown on youth indulging in stone pelting and is conducting day and night raids to arrest the stone pelters to restore peace and calm in the Valley.
About 2000 youth and separatist leaders have been arrested after unrest broke out in the Valley on July 8.