Two more dead, toll in strife touches 49

As two more injured persons, including a policeman and a civilian, succumbed on Sunday, taking death toll to 49, the government claimed it succeeded in holding the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) amid curfew and shutdown for sixteenth consecutive day.

“In Kashmir, out of 1740 students, 1,621 appeared in the test at three designated centres at S.P College Srinagar, Amar Singh College Srinagar and DPS Humhama marking an overall presence of 93%,” said a government spokesman.

With curfew in place in large parts of the Valley and separatists shutdown call, the authorities said transport, boarding and lodging were made by all the District Development Commissioners for the convenience of the students appearing in the test. “Downloading facility for admission cards was also arranged by the respective DDCs at their offices across Kashmir,” said the spokesman.

With communication shutdown on, a police spokesman said there were stray incidents of stone-pelting in the Valley.

The spokesman said a constable, Mudasir Ahmad, injured in a law and order incident in Kulgam on July 15 succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS on Sunday.

One more youth, identified as Samir Ahmad of Khunmoh in Srinagar city has also succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was hit by a bullet during protests in Pampore area on July 10.