Handwara Violence

Schools reopened in Handwara today a week after arson and violence ripped through this small town in north Kashmir, 70 km north of Srinagar. But the 16-year-old girl whose allegations of being molested by a soldier impelled a blistering cycle of protests and police firing is not in class.

Three army bunkers were removed this morning from Kashmir's Handwara, where clashes between locals and security forces led to a cycle of violence in which five people have been killed so far.

One person has been arrested in connection with an alleged molestation case of a girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara, an incident that triggered a cycle of violence for past one week in North Kashmir.

Handwara, the epicentre of ongoing unrest in Kashmir, and its adjoining areas continued to witness trouble today, prompting re-imposition of curfew-like restrictions after a three-hour relaxation even though mobile internet services were restored after four-day suspension.

The girl, whose alleged molestation led to a wave of violence and police firing on protestors in Handwara and other parts of north Kashmir, recorded her statement on Saturday evening before a magistrate and said she was not molested.

Authorities today lifted restrictions in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, while the curbs on the movement of people in Kupwara continued for the fifth day following killing of five persons in security forces action since Tuesday.

Concerned over violence in Jammu and Kashmir in last four days, the Centre on Saturday decided to rush 3,600 additional paramilitary personnel to the Valley and asked the state government to ensure that there is no further loss of lives.

An eerie calm reigns at Natnusa village in Kashmir's Kupwara, where 17-year-old Arif Ahmad died yesterday after security forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the police to cite the law under which they have detained the girl, who was allegedly molested by a soldier in Handwara on Tuesday which led to violent protests resulting in the death of five persons.

Schools reopened in Handwara today a week after arson and violence ripped through this small town in north Kashmir, 70 km north of Srinagar. But the 16-year-old girl whose allegations of being molested by a soldier impelled a blistering cycle of protests and police firing is not in class.

Three army bunkers were removed this morning from Kashmir's Handwara, where clashes between locals and security forces led to a cycle of violence in which five people have been killed so far.

One person has been arrested in connection with an alleged molestation case of a girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara, an incident that triggered a cycle of violence for past one week in North Kashmir.

Handwara, the epicentre of ongoing unrest in Kashmir, and its adjoining areas continued to witness trouble today, prompting re-imposition of curfew-like restrictions after a three-hour relaxation even though mobile internet services were restored after four-day suspension.

The girl, whose alleged molestation led to a wave of violence and police firing on protestors in Handwara and other parts of north Kashmir, recorded her statement on Saturday evening before a magistrate and said she was not molested.

Authorities today lifted restrictions in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, while the curbs on the movement of people in Kupwara continued for the fifth day following killing of five persons in security forces action since Tuesday.

Concerned over violence in Jammu and Kashmir in last four days, the Centre on Saturday decided to rush 3,600 additional paramilitary personnel to the Valley and asked the state government to ensure that there is no further loss of lives.

An eerie calm reigns at Natnusa village in Kashmir's Kupwara, where 17-year-old Arif Ahmad died yesterday after security forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the police to cite the law under which they have detained the girl, who was allegedly molested by a soldier in Handwara on Tuesday which led to violent protests resulting in the death of five persons.