Srinagar:
Kashmir continues to remain tense after three teenagers were killed in firing in Anantnag on Tuesday.
Among the victims was 15-year-old Ishtiyaq, a class tenth student, 17-year-old Imtiyaz who was working at a baker's shop in Anantnag and Sajjad.
There was firing after security forces came under heavy stone throwing by protesters at a demonstration. It was not clear whether it was the police or the CRPF that fired at the protesters.
It was the second incident of firing in Anantnag today. Earlier in the day, the CRPF opened fire on a protest demonstration, injuring 15-year-old Ashiq Ahmad. He received bullet injuries in his leg. "I had gone to get
roti from a baker when they fired at me,'' said Ashiq.
The latest civilian deaths come at a time when Kashmir is on the edge with a curfew like situation in Anantnag, Shopian and Srinagar. With the latest deaths, the number of civilians killed in police and CRPF firing in the last two weeks has risen to 11.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah used an appeal for peace to defend his government, saying the violence was not a result of bad governance but that of anti-national forces and vested interests coming together.
He asked parents, religious heads and political leaders to help restore calm in the state and in particular restrain the youth. "As a parent, I appeal to parents to counsel their kids and to keep them at home, not to engage forces in stone pelting," Omar said.
(Read: In balancing act, Omar appeals for peace and restraint) Chidambaram backs OmarBacking Omar Abdullah, Home Minister P Chidambaram said, "I endorse every word of Omar's statement." However, he said that the government will probe allegations of excessive force. (
Watch: I back Omar Abdullah: Chidambaram)
Chidambaram has said that security forces have been asked to maintain maximum restraint.
There were protests on in Delina, in Baramulla where a nine-year-old boy was killed in CRPF firing on Sunday. On Monday morning, a crowd had gathered for the funeral of a youth, 20-year-old Bilal Ahmad Wani, who was killed in Sopore on Sunday, allegedly hit by a rubber bullets fired from a CRPF picket. Raising anti-government and pro-freedom slogans, nearly 4,000 protesters carried Bilal's body and marched on the streets of the town.
The funeral procession turned violent and five people were injured in CRPF firing on Monday. Soon, protesters marching near Sopore clashed with the police. As they headed towards a CRPF post, a jawan fired from the picket killing another 20-year-old, Tajamul.
Some time later on Monday came the incident that shook the Valley. Nine-year-old Tauqir Ahmad, was allegedly killed when CRPF personnel opened fire on a protest march at Delina in Baramulla. (
In Pics: Tension in Kashmir).
The CRPF denied reports that it fired during the funeral procession. Vikram Srivastava, Director General, CRPF said, "No ammunition has been fired by CRPF at the funeral procession. Our basic position is that we are there to assist state police." (
Watch: CRPF denies firing at protesters in Sopore)
When asked about the civilian deaths in Kashmir, especially that of the very young, Home Secretary G K Pillai said the blame should be put on those who put teenagers on the front lines. "The organisers of these mobs are in a sense willing to put teenagers in front, I think they have to be blamed. Teenagers should realise that they are just being exploited by those who are doing these," he said. Pillai was speaking to NDTV on the show India Decides.
On June 25, two youths were killed and three others injured allegedly in firing by CRPF after the security personnel were attacked by protesters following an encounter in which two militants were gunned down. That incident sparked the latest round of protests across the Valley.