36 civilians killed, 1266 security men injured in Jammu and Kashmir in 3 months

Government today said 36 civilians were killed and 1,266 security personnel were injured in different violent incidents in the Kashmir Valley in the last three months.

"Between June 11 and August 2, 36 civilian deaths were reported. 1,266 were injured among security forces," minister of state for home Ajay Maken informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question.

During June and July, 872 stone pelting incidents were reported in the Valley, he said.

Maken said there have been a "series of protests since June 11 and the security forces were targeted by protestors by a volley of stone pelting incidents and this led to clashes and casualties of civilians and injuries to security forces and civilians".

Casualties were followed by more protest leading to vicious cycle of events and more clashes, the mobs engaged in arson and destruction of public property and the police had to resort to curfew and restrictions in the Valley, he said.

Maken said the state government, with the assistance of the Central government, is undertaking measures to effectively maintain law and order and an appeal has been made by chief minister Omar Abdullah and others to maintain calm and break the cycle of violence.
   
Replying to another question, the minister said there was no death on the side of security forces and 220 civilians were injured in violence between June and July.