Protests rock J-K over Ramban killings, 16 hurt

Protests against the killing of four people in firing by BSF personnel erupted across Jammu and Kashmir today during which 16 persons including two policemen were injured in clashes, stone-pelting and canecharge.
As tensions ran high in the state, Authorities clamped curfew in all major towns of Kashmir and halted the Amarnath yatra from Jammu with no fresh batch of pilgrims being allowed to proceed to the Valley. Curfew remained in force in Ramban district in Jammu region where the killings took place yesterday.
BSF troops today vacated its Dharam camp where violent protests were witnessed yesterday and were moved to Battalion area in Ramban district. The camp has been handed over to the state police, a BSF officer said.

Three FIRs were also registered against both BSF and the state police in connection with yesterday's violence on complaints from the public.
In the Jammu region, Police resorted to canecharge on protestors, who turned violent and attacked some vehicles and some shops in Doda town. The protestors resorted to stone-pelting in Bhawerwah town after Friday prayers.
In the clashes, stone-pelting and canecharge, at least a dozen persons suffered minor injuries, police sources said, adding, that most of the injured were given first aid and discharged.

Two cops were also injured in Doda and Bhaderwah. One Havaldar Satesh Kumar suffered serious injury when a protestor threw a bottle at him and is hospitalised, the sources said.

Police said the situation is now under control.
Official sources said two youth were injured when security forces opened fire while chasing stone-pelting protestors in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.
A large group of people took to streets after Friday prayers at Kurhama village of Ganderbal, 21 km from Srinagar, to protest against the killings in BSF firing.
Police resorted to pellet gun firing and teargas shelling to disperse the protestors who turned violent and resorted to stone-pelting.
As the situation worsened, the security forces resorted to aerial firing to restore law and order, the sources said, adding two persons were injured. The two were admitted to Soura Medical institute in Srinagar.

Clashes between protestors and security forces were reported from several other parts of the Valley including interior Srinagar. Hurriyat has called for a three-day shutdown in the Valley.