Several killed in fresh violence in Kashmir

Srinagar : Several people were killed and scores others injured in fresh violence in Kashmir as mobs torched government buildings and a private school as rumours of desecration of the holy Koran in the US spread in the Valley, where most parts are already under curfew.

Reports put the toll at 10 casualties in the latest spate of violence, taking the death tally in violence in the Valley since mid-June to 79.

Five persons were killed and about 20 others injured when security forces opened fire to control a mob at Tangmarg in Baramulla district.

The protestors first torched a private school run by a minority group, protesting the purported desecration of the Koran.

The mob also torched the Block Development Office, court chamber, tehsildar?s official vehicle and residence, social welfare office, patwari office and two huts of tourism department in the town, reports said.

They then attacked the police station, forcing the security personnel to open fire.

Two protesters and a policeman were killed allegedly in security forces action at Humhama in Budgam district, where a group of people attacked a security forces camp.

In Budgam town, one person was killed and several others hurt when security forces had to fire on a procession that attacked a CRPF camp.

Another person was killed in police action at Ajas in Bandipora.

Meanwhile, the state government banned Press TV for airing reports of desecration of the Koran in the US, which led to the latest violence.

?The transmission of Press TV in Jammu and Kashmir has been banned with immediate effect,” State Chief Secretary S S Kapur told reporters here.

Meanwhile, indefinite curfew remained in most areas of the Kashmir Valley on Monday.

Police using public address system announced that curfew has been imposed on parts of Budgam district stretching from Hyderpora to district headquarters town and three towns of Pulwama district .

Restrictions have been imposed in Awantipora, Lethpora and Pampore towns of Pulwama, which fall on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Curfew remained in force in Srinagar city, Anantnag and Bijbehara towns in south Kashmir and Sopore town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district for the second day.

In new Delhi, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is meeting to decide/consider lifting of the Armed forces Special Powers Act from four districts of J&K in an attempt to stem the escalating violence.

J & K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is camping in the national capital to pursue the Centre on the issue.