SRI NAGAR: Kashmir remained tense on Wednesday after an elderly woman, who was injured in Tuesday’s firing by security forces in Handwara area of the border district of Kupwara, succumbed to injuries and a youth died in tear gas shelling by police, taking the number of civilians killed in the last two days to four.
The government has placed an assistant sub-inspector of police under suspension while the Army’s Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda visited the area and promised early completion of inquiry into the allegations against Army personnel.
The security forces had fired on people at Handwara on Tuesday afternoon while they were protesting against the alleged molestation of a college girl by an army man. 60-year-old Raja Begum, who was hit by a bullet, breathed her last at the Srinagar hospital this morning. Six others, who sustained injuries, are undergoing treatment.
The civilian killings triggered protests in Handwara, Baramulla, Srinagar, Pulwama and other parts of the Valley. Anticipating more protests, the authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in Handwara and adjoining areas.
However, people defied the restrictions. Chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans, the protestors demanded action against security personnel.
Thousands also attended the funeral prayers of the deceased civilians.