Protests engulf Valley

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU, FEB. 17. Massive demonstrations against the killing of six civilians at Haigam and one in Maisuma have engulfed the entire Kashmir Valley with people taking to the streets. This, and the Hurriyat Conference-sponsored general strike, threw normal life put of gear for the second straight day.

Over 40 people, mostly policemen, were injured in pitched battles in different parts of Kashmir. Around 40,000 people converged at Haigam and demanded severe punishment to the culprits. Even as curfew continued in Maisuma, Kothibagh and Rambagh areas for the second day, people thronged the streets raising slogans against the security forces.

Srinagar was under a haze with police personnel bursting hundreds of teargas shells in every area and protesters setting tyres ablaze. Though police resorted to firing in the air at several places, the situation is stated to be out of control. Most towns observed a spontaneous strike and processions were reported even from small villages.

Reports from Baramulla said, despite restrictions, over 40,000 people gathered in Haigam to share the grief of the families whose members were allegedly gunned down by Rashtriya Rifles personnel.

Geelani visits Haigam

The former APHC chairperson and Jamat-e-Islami leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who returned to Srinagar from Delhi, also visited the village and spoke against the Government, the ceasefire and the security forces. Mr. Geelani managed to give the slip to police even as orders for his arrest had been issued by the IGP, Kashmir, Dr. Ashok Bhan.

Another group of people protested against the Government in Pathanpora near Pattan, where Prince Khan, brother of a senior separatist leader, Mr. Nayeem Khan, was gunned down by unknown assailants on Friday.

In Kaka Sarai, downtown Srinagar, some unknown assailants fired at two civilians, critically injuring them. (PTI identified the youths as Farooq Ahmad Gujari and Riyaz Ahmad.) While police maintained that the identity of the assailants was yet to be ascertained, locals said that Abdur Rashid Parray, a selection grade constable working with the SOG, Badgam, opened fire.

Shabir Shah arrested

Senior separatist leader and the chief of Democratic Freedom Party, Mr. Shabir Shah, was arrested along with six supporters when he tried to take out a procession in the curfew- bound Badshah Chowk area.

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