Kashmir: Death toll rises to 46, strict restrictions ahead of Friday prayers

Curfew and a shutdown called by separatists continued across Kashmir for the 14th day on Friday as the death toll rose by one more and private communication services remained suspended.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad, who was injured in clashes in Anantnag district a few days ago, died at SKIMS hospital in Srinagar in the morning, taking the death toll to 46.

Residents in the capital city said curfew in certain parts appeared to be stricter because people defied the prohibitory orders a day earlier and followed a separatists’ directive to come out after 2 pm to buy essential commodities.

The strictures are amid apprehensions of post-congregational prayers later on Friday.

In many parts of the Valley, authorities made announcements on loudspeakers mounted on police vehicles and asked people to remain indoors. Separatists have already extended their protest shutdown call to Monday.

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti visited families in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Thursday, from where many victims of the ongoing violence in the Valley hail from.

Authorities had announced the opening of schools in four districts of Baramulla, Badgam, Bandipora and Ganderbal on Thursday. But attendance was low because of prevailing tension and continuing curfew in these districts.

Mehbooba also chaired in Srinagar an all-party meeting that was boycotted by the National Conference (NC). The meeting condemned violence while condoling the killing of people in violence.

The violent tensions in the Valley began in response to the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Wani was considered a local hero among many, and rose to prominence following video posts on social media aimed at recruiting more youth to the cause of an independent Kashmir.

Mobile and internet services were immediately clamped down as the first protests broke out on the same day.