One more youth dies in Kashmir, toll rises to 58

SRINAGAR - A 20-year-old man succumbed to his injury in this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital Tuesday, taking the toll in the ongoing unrest since June 11 to 58 even as authorities lifted curfew from the valley.

Mohammad Abbas Dhobi died in the Soura Medical Institute here in the morning. He was allegedly severely beaten by the troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in south Kashmir Anantnag town Friday during a stone pelting incident.

His body was handed over to his relatives by the police.

The news of Dhobi’s death triggered fresh tension in Anantnag as angry youth took to streets and indulged in stone pelting, forcing shopkeepers to pull down shutters.

Authorities deployed police and paramilitary troopers in the town to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, curfew was lifted from the entire Kashmir Valley as the separatists asked people to resume normal life for a day.

Shops in Srinagar opened for the first time after a week and traffic was plying normally.

People were seen thronging markets to buy essential commodities to last at least another week even though the hardline separatist Hurriyat Conference called for another break in their protest calendar Friday.

“I left my home early to purchase all the essential items for my family. You never know when it will re-open next. The situation is really bad here,” said Mehbooba Bano, a housewife.

Authorities have withdrawn security forces from the main city markets to avoid any fresh confrontation.

Reports from other towns said people were busy purchasing essential commodities, including fresh vegetables, fruits, baby food, rice, poultry products and mutton.