25 injured in fresh clashes in Kashmir, death toll rises to 68

Srinagar, Aug 27 (PTI) At least 25 people were injured infresh clashes between protesters and security forces inKashmir today even as the death toll in the ongoing unrest inthe Valley reached 68 amid curfew in many parts of the region. Police recovered the body of a youth from River Jhelum atSangam in Anantnag district this morning, a police officialsaid. He said locals alleged that Shahnawaz Khatana had drownedin the river yesterday when security forces chased a group ofstone-pelters in the area. With this death, the toll in the ongoing unrest inKashmir has gone up to 68. A police spokesman said barring five incidents of stonepelting in Anantnag, Shopian and Bandipora districts, theoverall situation in the Valley remained peaceful and undercontrol. "The stone pelting incidents were reported from Barbugh,Hillow, Kadgam in Shopian, Sangam in Anantnag andWatpora-Potshah in Bandipora," the spokesman said. He said some miscreants in order to disturb the situationassembled on roads and allegedly pelted stones on police andsecurity force deployments. While the spokesman did not mention the number of thoseinjured in the clashes, police sources said at least 25 peoplesustained injuries during incidents at these places. Authorities had to reimpose curfew in Anantnag town andadjoining areas in view of violent protests in Sangam area,the official said. Curfew from the south Kashmir town was briefly liftedthis morning after remaining in force for 49 days. Curfew remained in force in entire Srinagar district andtwo south Kashmir towns of Pulwama and Pampore to maintain lawand order in view of the separatist plans to march towards theheadquarters of Army at Badamibagh here. He also said restrictions on assembly of people were inforce in rest of the Valley to maintain law and order. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali ShahGeelani was taken into preventive custody as he tried to defyhouse arrest in order to march to the Army headquarters forhanding a letter to the General Officer Commanding asking theforces to "vacate Jammu and Kashmir". Violent protests have been going on for the past 50 daysin the Valley following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen’commander’ Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forceson July 8. Normal life remained paralysed for the 50th consecutiveday due to curfew, restrictions and separatist sponsoredstrike. Shops, private offices, educational institutions andpetrol pumps remained closed while public transport continuedto be off roads. The attendance in government offices and banks was alsoaffected, the official said. Mobile Internet also continued to remain suspended in theentire Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobilesremained barred. The separatist camp, which is spearheading the agitationin the Valley over the civilian killings during the protestsagainst Wani’s killing, has extended the strike call in theValley till September 1. PTI MIJ IKA ZMNIKA