7 injured in alleged firing by security forces in south Kashmir

Seven persons were injured when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse demonstrators, protesting against fresh incident of braid chopping in south Kashmir on Wednesday, official sources said. They said people, including women and youths, hit the streets at Wullarhama, Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, protesting against the administration and police, demanding immediate arrest of all those involved in braid chopping in the state.

The demonstrators, who had blocked the main road, alleged that three masked men chop braid of a woman in the area on Wednesday morning. However, they alleged that when locals were chasing the miscreants involved in the braid chopping, they disappeared when security forces coming from the same direction stopped them (demonstrators). Alleging that security forces were shielding the miscreants, the demonstrators clashed with the security forces who fired in the air to disperse them.

Later security forces opened direct firing in which seven persons were injured. The injured have been rushed to hospital, where they are reportedly out of danger. Massive protests are going on in the area as people from adjoining village also joined the demonstration, demanding action against the security forces. Senior civil and police officials have rushed there, sources said.