ISLAMABAD, Aug 21 (APP): With no letup in curfew and other restrictions on the 44th consecutive day, Sunday, at least 80 people including women were injured by bullets and pellets fired by Indian troops on peaceful protesters in the territory.
The troops even did not spare an elderly couple, and shot them injured at Tral in Pulwama while an eight-year old boy sustained grave pellet injuries in his chest when police fired at him from point-blank range at Nawabazar area of Srinagar, KMS reported.
The couple was grievously injured when troops fired on them at their house in Tral after they tried to resist the arrest of their son.
The injured have been identified as Abdul Qayoom Butt, 85, and his wife Nazeera, 80, the parents of Mufti Mujahid Shabbir Falahi, former Jamaat-e-Islami District Secretary Pulwama.
At least, 15 other people were injured when forces during nocturnal raids ran amok in Devsar area of Kulgam and thrashed the inmates.
One of the youth, Showkat Ahmad, who was mercilessly beaten up by the forces was referred to hospital in a critical condition. Doctors say that Showkat has grievous head injuries.
In Pampore, doctors and paramedics held protests in hospital premises after an ambulance driver was thrashed by Indian paramilitary personnel men at Tengpora-Batmaloo in Srinagar. The driver identified as Nisar Ahmad Mir of Kunibal-Pampore was back from SMHS hospital after dropping patients.
Massive pro-freedom rallies continued throughout South Kashmir even as curfew remained in force in all major districts and towns for the 44th day. Bike and car rallies were also held across South Kashmir.
A massive pro-freedom rally was held in Pahoo village of Kakpora in Pulwama. Similar rally was held at Reban-Zainapora and Kinigam areas of Shopian. Thousands attended these rallies. Women in Pehnoo, Pinjoora and Pahlipora also held pro-freedom rallies.
A pro-freedom rally was also organized in Nanil village of Bijbehara. The rally besides religious clerics from various sects was addressed by Hurriyet leaders Ghulam Nabi Sumji Mir Hafizullah. A huge bike rally was also taken out which passed through various Duchnipora villages of Bijbehara.
An effigy of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was set ablaze by the protesters at Kanilwan. Another bike and car rally was held in Pahalgam area. People waved Pakistani flags and shouting pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans. Complete shutdown was observed in Banihal in Jammu region as people raised slogans in favour of freedom.
As many as 82 people, most of them teenagers, have been killed by police and other forces in the 44-day uprising triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Over 7500 have sustained injuries, 500 of them with grave pellet injuries in their eyes.
