Over 50 injured in fresh Kashmir clashes (Evening Lead)

Over 50 people were injured in clashes between stone-pelting mobs and security forces in the Kashmir Valley on Friday even as strict curfew was imposed to foil separatist-called protest rallies, police said.

A police spokesperson said at least 35 stone-throwing incidents occurred across the restive valley, including in Srinagar where a 12-year-old boy drowned on Thursday after he was allegedly chased by security forces.

The spokesperson said angry protestors defied the curfew and came out on the streets, pelting rocks at security forces. Police and paramilitary troopers dispersed the protestors by firing tear smoke shells and pellets at them.

An old city area in Srinagar saw intense protests after the body of Danish Sultan Haroo, who drowned a day ago, was recovered from the Jhelum River.

Residents and family alleged that the boy had jumped into the river after he was chased by the security forces. But Kashmir police chief S.J.M. Gilani denied the allegation and said there was no deployment of security forces in the area when the incident occurred.

Authorities had imposed curfew in most places of the Kashmir Valley to prevent protests, crippling normal life in the valley for the 56th day in a row.

Educational institutions, offices and main markets have remained shut for nearly two months now after the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani that has triggered an unending cycle of violence.

Some 73 people have been killed and more that 11,000 injured in the violence.

--IANS

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