Live: Mehbooba Mufti urges people in Kashmir to maintain calm as death toll crosses 30

Violence took a toll on generations in Kashmir: Mehbooba

Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti also said that many youths, whether militants or civilians, had died in the state due to the violence so far. “Violence has taken a toll on generations in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

Mehbooba also said that she regretted the fact that many girls have also been killed in the violence.

Security personnel were told to act calmly. Sad,despite taking all measures, lives were lost during protest: J&K CM pic.twitter.com/EZ9RtR80gH

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2016

Mehbooba urges parents to discourage their children from joining agitation

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti gave yet another statement on the unrest in the state and said she deeply regretted the loss of lives due to the violence. She also promised an investigation into alleged brutality by the state’s police force.

“To prevent people adding to the chaos on the streets, we gave a curfew order in Kashmir,” CM Mehbooba said. “We regret the loss of lives in the violence. We will investigate if unnecessary force was used by the police,” she said.

She also requested the parents in the state to guide their children and discourage them for joining the protests. “I request all people to think about the actions they and their children are taking,” Mehbooba said. “I request all parents to discourage their children from joining the agitations.”

The J&K CM also said that she was proud of the people who had helped in saving lives during the Kashmir unrest.

I appeal everyone to help the Govt to bring back peace and normalcy in the state: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti pic.twitter.com/Q4b9UbL9Fb

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2016

Toll reaches 30; PM Modi calls for peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi and voiced concern over the incidents of violence in the Valley as the death toll reached 30, which included 29 civilian protesters and a policeman. 

The curfew remained in force in many parts of the Valley including pockets of Srinagar city and Pulwama district as authorities braced for more protests. 

“Prime Minister has appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain calm and peace so that normalcy returns in the valley,” Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh, told reporters soon after the meeting concluded. – PTI

PM has hoped for peace, has guided us and appealed that no innocent lives are disturbed: Jitendra Singh on J&K pic.twitter.com/CPc4SC6ufw

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2016

Nawaz Sharif expresses ‘deep shock’ over Burhan Wani’s killing

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has deplored “excessive” force against civilians in the latest wave of violence in the Valley while expressing “deep shock” over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

Sharif, who recently returned from London after an open-heart surgery, came out with a late night statement condemning the action of Indian security forces in Kashmir.

“The Prime Minister of Pakistan has expressed his deep shock at the killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and many other civilians by the Indian military and paramilitary forces,” Sharif’s office said in the statement.

The Prime Minister said it was “deplorable that excessive and unlawful force was used against the civilians” who were protesting against the killing of Wani.

“Oppressive measures such as these cannot deter the valiant people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.

Expressing concern over the detention of Kashmiri separatist leaders, Sharif said India should fulfil its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council resolutions. – PTI

Death toll now at 23, Mamata expresses concern

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the present situation in Jammu and Kashmir where clashes between protesters and security personnel following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani left 23 dead and over 250 injured.

“We are all concerned about J&K. It is close to our heart. So many lives have been lost. We pray for peace, prosperity and humanity,” Banerjee said in a statement. – PTI

Rajnath Singh speaks to Sonia Gandhi and Omar Abdullah

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday spoke to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the tense situation in Kashmir. – PTI

Rajnath Singh to chair high-level meeting

According to reports, Union Home Minister Rajnath will be chairing a high-level meeting to discuss the unrest in the Valley at 12pm on Monday.

Meanwhile, police patrolling has increased in many areas in Jammu and Kashmir.

Policing increased in many areas of Jammu and Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/fE4hVTUohJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2016

Amarnath yatra suspended for third consecutive day

Amarnath yatra has been suspended for the third consecutive day. Around 15,000 yatris are stranded at the Jammu base camp for their turn to proceed to the Valley so that they can undertake the Yatra.

Amarnath Yatra from Jammu base camp suspended for the 3rd consecutive day, people in hope of a 'go-ahead' for yatra pic.twitter.com/mw0po9NZ20

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2016

Death toll reaches 22; normal life remains paralysed

The death toll in the clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir mounted to 22, as normal life continued to remain paralysed for the third day on Monday. 

The victims comprised 21 protesters and a police driver. They were killed during clashes with security forces, mostly in Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama districts.

Strict restrictions on movement of people remain in place in Srinagar and four districts of south Kashmir since Saturday morning. Officials said that the measure has been taken to maintain law and order in the Valley. 

However, the situation will be reviewed later in the day and a decision taken on whether to continue with the restrictions.

Meanwhile, the strike, called by the separatist groups, also affected the normal life in the Valley.

Shops, private offices, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut, while government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance, the officials said.

They said public transport was completely off the roads for the third day, while private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying at few places in the areas there there were no restrictions. – PTI

Jammu and Kashmir: Curfew continues to be imposed in Srinagar following protests over Burhan Wani's killing. pic.twitter.com/7Kc7hz8kHV

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2016

21 people killed so far

Kashmir continued to be on the boil with six more people, including a cop, getting killed in violence today, raising the death toll to 21.

Death toll now at 20

Kashmir continued to be on the boil with five more people, including a cop, getting killed in violence, raising the death toll to 20, even as curfew-like restrictions were in place and Mobile internet services remained suspended.

Amarnath Yatra also remained suspended for the second day owing to the unrest in the valley in which over 200 people, many of them police and security personnel, have been injured.

The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, met and expressed anguish over the situation and the death of civilians in clashes with security forces following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

The government promised to investigate if there was any instance of disproportionate use of force by security forces even as it appealed to the people not to become tools in the machinations of instigators of violence.

The Cabinet also appealed to separatists, including Hurriyat Conference, as well as mainstream political parties like National Conference, Congress and CPI(M) to help restore normalcy “if they want peace in the state”. – PTI

CM Mehbooba Mufti should take the lead instead of hiding behind spokespersons: Omar Abdullah

Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said his party was ready to contribute towards maintaining peace in Kashmir but Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should take the lead to show the way instead of “hiding” behind spokesperson and police officers as they were not elected by the people.

Dear @MehboobaMufti We in @JKNC_ are always ready to contribute towards maintaining peace but you must take the lead & show the way.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 10, 2016

This is the time to lead from the front. You must accept the responsibility both for letting things get to this point as for the recovery.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 10, 2016

Please don't take the easy option of hiding behind your spokesperson & your police officers. No one elected them, the people elected you.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 10, 2016

More than anyone else I know what you're going through @MehboobaMufti & I can assure you that we will follow your lead but lead YOU must.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 10, 2016

The @JKNC_ will never be an irresponsible party & opposing you will never mean setting the state on fire for narrow political ends.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 10, 2016

Feasts cancelled in Kashmir as violence hits state

The violence in Kashmir Valley has hit the post-Ramadan wedding season, with the newspapers in Srinagar full of advertisements announcing the cancellation of feasts and invites related to such ceremonies.

Most of today’s editions of the newspapers in the Valley carried classified advertisements of the cancellation of the marriage ceremony invitations.

J&K Congress appeals to people to maintain calm

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) termed the current unrest in the Valley as unfortunate and anguishing and sought support from the people to end the cycle of violence.

“I appeal to the people to maintain calm and defeat the design of elements vitiating peace to serve their vested interests.

“They should stay away from the violence and maintain peace, as the prevalence of peace is must for their safety and security,” he said.

Mir urged the security forces to deal with law and order problem by adopting peaceful methods to control the situation and to ensure maximum restraint while dealing with protesters. – PTI

Two jawans injured in fresh clashes

According to reports, two jawans have been injured as locals hurled grenades on CRPF and police deployment in Pulwama district. 

Out of the three, two grenades exploded & one did not. Security forces were deployed after curfew imposition: Pulwama SP

— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2016

After government appeal, Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz wonders how can the separatist party be of any help

Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday wondered how can the separatists be of help to authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to restore normalcy when they are labelled as a “threat to peace” and blamed the ruling dispensation for the fresh cycle of violence.

Mirwaiz’s remarks came hours after the state government appealed to separatist Hurriyat Conference, besides mainstream parties, to assist in its efforts towards restoring normalcy in the state.

“What do they want us to do? They label us as a threat to peace and cage, confine and gag us. We are not even allowed to offer Eid prayers! so how can we be of help?,” said the Mirwaiz when asked about Hurriyat’s response to the appeal. – PTI

AI waives cancellation and rescheduling charges on Kashmir flights

Air India on Sunday said that it will not charge any ticket cancellation or rescheduling fee for travel to and from Kashmir, which has been rocked by violence.

The relaxed norms would be applicable for both domestic and international flights to and from Srinagar on tickets booked before 9 July for travel up to 11 July.

Meanwhile, Jet Airways has also announced that it would re-book the tickets of its customers without any charges due to the current situation in the valley.  – PTI

Umar Khalid seeks ‘forgiveness’ for praising Burhan; says will join in to satisfy ’nationalist machismo’

After being critized and trolled for praising Burhan Wani as a revolutionary on Facebook, Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid on Sunday said that he accepts defeat and should have joined the trolls in rejoicing Burhan’s death and calling him a traitor, terrorist and militant.

In a sarcastic overtone, Khalid said: “I seek your forgiveness. From tomorrow, I will join in to satisfy our nationalist machismo self. I will be a coward who from a position of power gets extreme pleasure in humiliating the weak. But, just one small question my (about to be) fellow nationalists, would that change the ground reality in Kashmir?”

Earlier, Khalid had praised Burhan in a Facebook post which he later deleted, ABPLive had reported. “Burhan wasn’t scared of death, he was scared of a life lived in subjugation. He detested it. He lived a free man, died a free man. Doomed is the occupation! Indian state, how will you defeat a people who have defeated their own fears?” Khalid had said. 

Cop killed in Kashmir clashes; CM Mufti chairs high-level meeting

A cop was pushed into the Jhelum along with his vehicle during the unrest in the Valley.

According to CNN News18, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is chairing a high-level meeting over the unrest.  

In view of the unrest, Amarnath Yatra also remained suspended for the second day, although some stranded pilgrims were escorted to safety.

Pakistan alleges human rights violation, demands plebiscite in Kashmir

Alleging human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan on Sunday demanded “a fair and impartial” plebiscite to resolve the Kashmir dispute. 

The foreign ministry said the “extrajudicial killing” of Hizbul Muajahideen leader Burhan Wani “and scores of other innocent Kashmiris” violated the fundamental human rights of Kashmiris. 

This, a statement from the ministry said, “cannot deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realisation of the right to self determination”. 

It said a resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was only possible by the “realisation of the right to self determination of the people, as per UN resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite”. – PTI

(Updates begin for 10 July)

Death toll climbs to 19

The Jammu and Kashmir government appealed for calm as four more people died in continuing protests against the killing of a top guerrilla leader, taking the death toll to 19.

A mob overran a bullet-proof police vehicle and rolled it down into the Sutlej river at Sangam in Anantnag district, drowning its constable driver while other policemen fled the scene, official sources said.

Security forces shot dead two demonstrators at Litter in Pulwama district after a huge crowd took to the streets shouting anti-government and pro-freedom slogans, the sources said.

Irfan Ahmad Malik, 17, was also killed in firing elsewhere in Pulwama district after a curfew-defying mob attacked the security forces, a senior police official said.

The latest fatalities took the death toll in two days of widespread clashes between protesters and security forces in the Kashmir Valley to 19 — 18 demonstrators and one policeman.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh presided over a high-level meeting and then spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, offering all possible help from New Delhi.

Four demonstrators, identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Mandoo, Mashooq Ahmad and Safeer Ahmad, all from Anantnag district, and Mohammmad Altaf Rather (from Pulwama) who were wounded a day earlier died on Sunday.

Death toll now at 11

Kashmir was rattled by widespread mob violence and clashes which left 11 people dead and 126, including 96 security forces personnel, injured even as curfew was clamped across the Valley and mobile internet services suspended to contain the fallout of gunning down of militant commander Burhan Wani.

A top official said curfew has been imposed across the Valley and restrictions put in place to avert fresh trouble.

Three policemen were also missing after a large mob attacked a police station, set it ablaze and used its weaponary to shoot and injure three cops, police said.

Amid the protests, militants attacked a police station in Pulwama, which was thwarted by the security forces.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Centre is working with the state government to bring normalcy in the Valley. He also expressed “deep anguish” over the “loss of precious lives in the incidents of violence” in Kashmir and appealed for calm. – PTI

Death toll now at 11

Kashmir was rattled by widespread mob violence and clashes which left 11 people dead and 126, including 96 security forces personnel, injured even as curfew was clamped across the Valley and mobile internet services suspended to contain the fallout of gunning down of militant commander Burhan Wani.

A top official said curfew has been imposed across the Valley and restrictions put in place to avert fresh trouble.

Three policemen were also missing after a large mob attacked a police station, set it ablaze and used its weaponary to shoot and injure three cops, police said.

Amid the protests, militants attacked a police station in Pulwama, which was thwarted by the security forces.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Centre is working with the state government to bring normalcy in the Valley. He also expressed “deep anguish” over the “loss of precious lives in the incidents of violence” in Kashmir and appealed for calm. – PTI

Six companies of CRPF rushed to Kashmir

According to India Today TV, six companies of CRPF have been rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to take control of the situation there.

Deceased protesters identified

The protesters killed were identified as Aijaz Ahmed Thokru, a resident of Siligam in Anantnag, Yawar Manzoor Kondru of Anantnag, Khursheed Ahmed of Kulgam and Zubair Ahmed also of Kulgam, who was injured on Friday but succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, Adil Bashir of Dooru, Anantnag, Abdul Hamid Mochi, or Arwami village in Anantnag, Shaukat Ahmed of Bijbehara and Mohammad Asif of Kukurnag.

The administration also announced that all exams from school to university level had been postponed as well as the National Eligibility Test and interviews of the State Public Commission. – IANS

Violence especially bad in south Kashmir

J&K Police said that the violence which broke out in the state was especially bad in the southern parts of the state, according to NDTV . Moreover, train services from Baramulla to Banihal have been suspended. Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which passes through south Kashmir, has been closed.

CM Mehbooba Mufti expresses grief over lives lost

“I express profound grief over the tragic death of the youths and extend my heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members in their hour of immense grief,” Rising Kashmir quoted an official government spokesman  as saying.

The report also said that she appealed to the people of the state to co-operate with the government and the police so that normalcy could be restored.

Entire society should be worried about what is happening in Kashmir: J&K Police

“Our focus is not on killing militants,” SM Sahai, Jammu and Kashmir ADG, said. “We appeal to parents to counsel their children, so they, like Burhan Wani, don’t become militants,” he further said.

The police officials also said that some of the protesters had entered a police station and taken weapons.

“If something like this is happening, we have to try to stop this,” said Sahai. “I think the entire society should be worried about what is happening…we will do a case-by-case analysis (of the situation in Kashmir),” he further said.

“Obviously, we do not want this to become something more than what it already is,” Sahai said. “(Amarnath) Yatra will be restored whenever it is possible for us to do that,” he added.

Militancy in Kashmir has gone down: J&K Police

“I don’t think these events can be quantified as big, small or large. I think young people should not be recruited by militants,” said a J&K Police official.

“I think militancy in Kashmir has been contained over a period of time. Every year, the number of terror attacks (in Kashmir) has been going down,” he said.

Our focus is on saving lives: J&K Police

“The focus is to make an appeal to the public so that no more lives are lost,” said another J&K Police official at the news briefing.

“Incidents took place in various places. Even if we have suffered losses to property, we have tried to ensure that lives were not lost,” he said. “We don’t know where three of our policemen are.”

Epicentre of protests was Tral: J&K Police

“The epicentre of the protests have been in Tral,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police official said at the news briefing.

“We have been trying to control the situation. We would like the situation to get normalised as fast as possible,” the official said.

There have been eight casualties: Jammu and Kashmir Police

An official from the Jammu and Kashmir Police in a news briefing said that the death toll in Kashmir has now climbed to 8. “There have been eight casualties,” said the official.

“Security installations were set on fire…It is unfortunate and sad,” he said. “There are 96 security personnel who have been injured in efforts to control the situation.”

The official also said that one of the eight people who had passed away died due to drowning.

“We have young boys coming out and protesting. We have tried to impose curfews in the city today just to ensure that such kind of incidents do not take place,” he said.

After many years, I hear slogans for ‘azadi’: Omar Abdullah

Aftr many yrs I hear slogans for "Azadi" resonate from the mosque in my uptown Srinagar locality. Kashmir's disaffected got a new icon y'day

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 9, 2016

Mark my words - Burhan's ability to recruit in to militancy from the grave will far outstrip anything he could have done on social media.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 9, 2016

Jammu and Kashmir Police allegedly beat women protesters

J&K Police beat women protesters in Zampa Kadal, Srinagar after police snatch body of a youth. #kashmir #BurhanWani pic.twitter.com/i3vuvCLnZO

— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) July 9, 2016

Burhan Wani had become the face of militancy in Kashmir

In his early 20’s, Burhan Wani had become the face of militancy in Kashmir over the last five years. He was a household name and his video clips and pictures were widely circulated among young people in Kashmir, reports Associated Press.

Unlike the militants of the early 1990s, Wani did not cover his face in videos widely circulated on cellphones.

Inspector-General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani described his killing as the “biggest success against militants” in recent years.

Wani was a small town boy and the son of a school principal. Handsome and media savvy, he was widely credited for reviving armed militancy in Indian Kashmir in recent years, using social media like Facebook to reach out to young Kashmiri men.

Death toll rises to 5

According to The Indian Express , the death toll in Kashmir has now gone up to five. Three people have died in Anantnag district and two in Kulgam. The report also said that separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have extended their call for a strike for two more days.