Published: February 01, 2010

50 Injured in Clashes Over Boy's Killing in Kashmir

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Srinagar, Feb 1: The killing of a 13-year old boy in police action triggered massive anti-police demonstrations in Kashmir with the angry youth clashing with police and paramilitary soldiers. At least 50 persons including 15 cops were injured in the day-long clashes.

13-year old Wamiq Farooq, a class 7th student hailing from Rainawari, some 5 kms from the summer capital Srinagar, was critically injured on Sunday evening after being hit by a tear smoke shell fired by policeman. He was taken to Kashmir's leading hospital SKIMS, where he succumbed later.

The doctors, who attended on him, said he had suffered grievous injuries on his head.

Wamiq was laid to rest at martyrs' graveyard, Iddgah, where hundreds of people attended his funeral prayers amidst chanting of pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

His killings sparked massive anti-police demonstrations in the summer capital Srinagar on Monday. The clashes broke out between angry youth and police and paramilitary personnel at Rainwari, Saki Dafar, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal, Maisuma and others areas. The cops fired dozens of tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the agitating youth, who pelted stones on them. The clashes continued till late evening.

At least 50 persons including nine policemen and five paramilitary personnel were injured in the clashes.

Meanwhile, the separatist groups have called for shutdown on Tuesday to protest against the killing of 13-year old boy. "By observing shutdown we will make it clear to India and world that these kinds of incidents are unacceptable to us," said the separatist groups.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.