Srinagar clashes: Youth dies after being run over by CRPF vehicle

A civilian, hit by a CRPF vehicle during clashes outside Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, succumbed to his injuries on Friday night, becoming the first casualty since the Centre announced halting of operations in Kashmir 18 days ago. Kaiser Bhat, from Srinagar's Fateh-a- Kadal, succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS hospital, according to hospital officials. He came under the wheels of the CRPF vehicle that was negotiating its way through the protesters hurling stones at it outside the mosque after Friday prayers. "He had suffered a serious chest injury and fractures," according to the hospital. The incident took place on a day when the police decided to keep their men away from the mosque for "peaceful congregation" and "to avoid confrontation after previous Friday's deadly clashes". CRPF spokesman Sanjay Sharma said the mob tried to open the back door of the vehicle. "The second in command of 28 CRPF Battalion was taking stock of security deployment. The mob tried to take the officer and his escort out of the vehicle. The youth climbed over the vehicle and started smashing it with stones, then the driver sensitively managed to take the vehicle out of the crowd,” Mr. Sharma said. Sources said the vehicle was heading for a different assignment, but was caught in the midst of protesters' fury. “Two cases (of stone pelting and rash driving) regarding the incidents have been lodged," said a senior police official. Former Chief Minister and leader of the main Opposition National Conference Omar Abdullah expressed anguish over the incident. "Ceasefire means no guns. Earlier they tied people to the fronts of jeeps and paraded them around villages to deter protesters. Now they just drive their jeeps right over protesters. Is this your new SOP Mehbooba Mufti sahiba?” he said. Meanwhile, separatists have called for a shutdown on Saturday in the Valley over security forces "excesses". Source: The Hindu