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KASHMIR-DEATH
Youth dead by police vehicle hit in Kashmir protests
NEW DELHI, June 2, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – A youth was killed after a police
vehicle ran over him during protests and clashes in restive Indian-controlled
Kashmir, police said Saturday.
The youth was knocked down by the speeding vehicle on Friday while it was
escaping an attack from stone throwers in Srinagar city, the summer capital
of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
“The youth identified as Kaiser Bhat, aged 21, was critically injured
after being ran over by the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) vehicle.
Though he was removed to hospital but succumbed early today,” a police
official said.
The incident has triggered fresh protests against the government forces.
Eyewitnesses said the protests broke out in city after Friday afternoon
congregational prayers.
CRPF spokesman Sanjay Sharma told media that a group of over 500
protestors surrounded the CRPF vehicle that was ferrying a senior officer.
“The mob tried to open the back door of the vehicle that was closed from
inside and lynch the CRPF men,” Sharma said.
Last month also a youth was crushed to death by a police vehicle during
clashes in the city.
Regional former chief minister and leader of the main opposition National
Conference Omar Abdullah expressed anguish over the incident.
“Ceasefire means no guns. Earlier they tied people to the fronts of jeeps
and paraded them around villages to deter protesters. Now they just drive
their jeeps right over protesters,” he said.
Meanwhile, normal life in the region remained affected Saturday due to a
shutdown called by separatists to protest “excesses” carried out by
government forces.
A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi rule is going
on in the region since 1989.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1222 hrs