Violence unabated as Rajnath opens doors to Kashmir dialogue

SRINAGAR: A protester was killed and about 30 people, including three officers of Jammu and Kashmir police, were wounded on Wednesday as violence flared up during Union home minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the restive state.

Kashmir Valley has been on the edge since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, which triggered widespread unrest and prompted an intense security crackdown.

The Valley is under curfew for a record 47 days and 68 people have been killed and thousands wounded in violent street protests.

Home minister Singh dashed to Srinagar on Wednesday for a two-day visit, his second in a month, as the Centre and state government struggled to bring peace to the strife-torn Valley. He met a political delegation as the Centre stepped up efforts to end the violence.

But protests continued on the streets, especially in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Amir Ahmad Mir, a 20-yearold from Ratnipora, was killed and at least 30 people were wounded in clashes with security forces who tried to stop a rally around 4am.

Mir was among the marchers and suffered a fatal pellet wounds. A tear gas shell had hit him in the abdomen during a protest in February, his family said. Anti-India slogans were heard outside Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital where people said their funeral prayers for Mir.

Home minister Singh is expected to review security arrangements with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and governor NN Vohra before returning to Delhi on Thursday.

No meetings with separatist leaders have been scheduled, though.

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