Violence escalated in Kashmir Valley on Sunday leaving at least eight people, including a woman, dead in two separate incidents.
While four people were killed in police firing in Pampore, four more died when an ammunition store exploded in the Khrew police station after it was attacked by a mob. Unofficial reports said two people injured in the violence too died.
In Pampore, police and CRPF personnel opened fire on protesters who were trying to block the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, killing two people. Several were injured and the condition of some of them is critical. The protests gained further momentum in Pampore and adjoining areas and thousands of people took to the streets and torched the office of the tehsildar and a government vehicle.
As the protests spread to nearby Khrew and people took to the streets, the police again opened fire injuring several people. Afroza, a 22-year-old woman, and Mudasir Ahmad died of injuries. Some others are battling for life.
Following this a mob marched to the local police station, surrounded it and set it on fire. There was an explosion in the ammunition store after a gas cylinder burst. This left four protesters dead and over 20 injured. Police sources confirmed that four civilians, who were among the protesters, were killed. But late in the night, sources said two more died of injuries, taking the death toll in the violence to 10. But it was not immediately confirmed by officials.
The death toll in the past 36 hours has gone up to 12; and since June 11, it has reached 31.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has made an appeal to civil society, political leaders, and the media to rise to the occasion and help the government restore peace and normality in the Valley.
