10-day-old baby dies during stone-pelting in Kashmir

SRINAGAR - A 10-day-old infant died Monday as the car carrying the baby and mother was stopped by stone-pelting mobs in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district Monday afternoon. The baby fell from the mother’s hands and died on the road, police said.

Police said a taxi coming to Baramulla hospital from Dangiwachi area of the district was stopped by protesters at Chakla, 5 km from Baramulla town.

The mother was carrying the baby to Baramulla district hospital for treatment when a mob of stone-pelting protesters attacked the vehicle. The mother and other occupants pleaded with the protesters that they should be allowed to carry the baby to the hospital, but in vain, a senior police officer said here.

Another son of the woman suffered injuries during the stone pelting.

Police said a case of murder has been registered at the local police station.

Stone throwing mobs engaged police in clashes in Baramulla town where police used batons and tear smoke shells to quell the unruly mobs.

Stone pelting mobs also clashed with the police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Maisuma locality where markets remained closed because of the violence.

The protesters have been demanding release of youths arrested by police in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley in recent days for disturbing the law and order situation by indulging in stone throwing at the security forces.

Two dozen security men and protesters have been injured during the clashes Monday.