5 more killed in violence in Kashmir valley

Violence and arson showed no signs of let up in the Kashmir valley as clashes between curfew-defying protestors and police for the fifth day today left five more persons dead.

There were reports that shoot-at-sight orders had been issued in curfew-bound Srinagar to control crowds defying restrictions but the J&K government said these reports were not correct.

A police spokesman said police was only making announcements on loudspeakers asking people to remain indoors and not to violate curfew failing which they will be dealt strictly.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah had yesterday sent a tough message to protestors indulging in the vicious cycle of violence, warning that consequences will be "tragic and serious" if curfew regulations were violated.

A police spokesman said that stone pelting mobs defied curfew restrictions at many places in Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora and Baramulla in north Kashmir and Awantipora and Kulgam in south Kashmir and indulged in heavy stone pelting on police deployments.

At least 20 policemen were also injured in today's incidents which has so far claimed the lives of 28 persons in the fresh wave of violence since Friday.

The mobs attacked public and police properties at the number of places which included two migrant houses, old Naib Tehsildar office were set on fire in Bomie Sopore where a police post was also attacked.

In Frisal Sherpora, Kulgam, a police post and the house of a cop and Special Police Official (SPO) were set on fire by the rampaging mobs. In Budgam Police post Soibugh, was set ablaze by an unruly mob. As the mobs did not relent to the requests and continued to indulge in stone and brick pelting, security forces had to resort to tear smoke shells and lathi charge.

The police had to use fire for self defence and dispersal of the mobs at few places, in which five persons lost their lives, the spokesman said.

Five civilians and 5 police and CRPF men also got injured in these incidents, he said.

One person namely Riyaz Ahmed Bhat who was injured at Khrew on August 1 succumbed to his injuries in SKIMS today, the spokesman said.