Srinagar, Jul 21 (KNS): A protesting youth was Friday killed after forces opened fire during the clashes in Beerwah area of Kashmir's Budgam district.
As soon as the Friday congregational prayers ended in the local Masjids in Beerwah, the youth staged protest against Army for allegedly harassing the street vendors on the area.
Witnesses said that the youth also hurled some stones to them.
Locals said that Army opened fire when they were heading towards their camp in the area, which resulted in severe injuries to two youth. “One among the youth who had received bullet injuries in his head succumbed to his injuries,” sources said.
The slain youth was identified as Tanveer Ahmed Wani, a resident of Arwah village in Beerwah.
Locals said that no clashes were ongoing when Tanveer, a tailor by profession was killed.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of the slain youth.
Witnesses said that multiple funeral prayers of slain youth were held at the main Chowk Beerwah.
The slain youth was laid to rest amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
Following the burial of a slain youth, clashes erupted between youth and forces in the area, during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse them.
Clashes were ongoing when the report was last filed.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement issued to KNS said that as per initial information received today, a Foot Patrol of army was returning to its camp and near Beerwah some miscreants pelted stones on them.
“Someone among these miscreants also hurled a fire cracker towards the army men. Because of bang the army men thought a grenade was hurled and they retaliated. Two persons identified as Tanveer Ahmed Pala and Mohammed Ibrahim Wani were injured,” he said, adding that among them Tanveer succumbed to his injuries while Ibrahim is stable.
According to the reports, police has said that a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against army over the killing of a youth in Beerwah town.
Reports quoting a senior police official said that an FIR has been registered against Army's 53 RR over the killing of Tanveer Ahmad Wani.
Meanwhile, PRO Defence, Colonial Rajesh Kalia said that “an Army patrol was subjected to heavy stone pelting by a mob in Kondur village near Beerwah town at 13:15 hours today. In no time the numbers swelled and the intensity of stone pelting increased.”
“Some stone pelters tried to close in with the patrol and snatch weapons from the soldiers. Two persons were reportedly injured when troops opened fired. One of the injured, however, later succumbed to his injuries,” he said. (KNS)
