Minor drowns in Jhelum, Kashmir death toll rises to 70

The body of a minor boy, who drowned in Jhelum river while being chased by security forces, was found here this afternoon, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir valley to 70.
"Danish Sultan Haroo, a seventh standard student, along with three other boys jumped from Parimpora bridge during a clash last evening to escape arrest but got drowned," a police official said.
"Three boys managed to swim to safety, but there was no trace of Haroo whose body was fished out from the river near Krishbal in the outskirts of the city today," he added.
Soon after the body reached his Palpora residence, thousands of people defied curfew and joined his funeral procession, the official said, adding, the funeral procession enroute to Eidgah was stopped at Noorbagh bridge leading to minor clashes during which law enforcing agencies fired several teargas shells.

"However, no one was injured in the clashes. The body is being taken to be laid to rest at 'martyr's graveyard' at Eidgah," the officer said.
Meanwhile, curfew was today reimposed in many parts of Kashmir including Srinagar as a precautionary measure even as normal life remained paralysed in the Valley for the 56th day due to the unrest triggered by killing of HIzbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.