SFs burst teargas shells to disperse demonstrators in Kupwara

Kupwara, Oct 12: Security forces on Friday burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse demonstrators at several places in this frontier district protesting against the killing of two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants in an encounter.

The authorities have imposed restrictions under Section 14 CrPC in the district, where mobile internet service remained suspended and educational institutions closed since yesterday when Manan Wani, a PhD scholar turned militant and his associate were killed by security forces in an encounter at Handwara.

Defying restrictions large number of people, mostly youths, hit the streets at several places, including Lalpora and Lolab, and clashed with the security forces and state police personnel deployed to maintain law and order.

Security forces resorted to lathicharge which had no impact on stone pelting demonstrators. Later, security forces burst teargas shells to chase away the demonstrators, who were regrouping and pelting stones.

Business and other activities in the district, including Kupwara, remained paralysed for the second day today, when separatists had called for a general strike against the killing of militants.