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Curfew continued in Handwara on Thursday after four persons were killed by forces. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)
Curfew continued in Handwara on Thursday after four persons were killed by forces. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

J&K government has continued strict curfew in North Kashmir’s Kupwara on Saturday.

Five persons have been killed in Handwara and adjoining Nutnussa areas since last Tuesday during protests.

Protests erupted following an alleged molestation bid by an army man posted in main Handwara town last Tuesday afternoon. Two youth were killed by forces in anticipating clashes while an elderly woman succumbed to her injuries in SKIMS late that night.

One more was shot dead in nearby Drugmulla area when hit by a tear gas shell on Wednesday during protests against the Handwara killings. Kashmir observed complete shutdown on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday, as separatists had called for protests after mandatory congregational prayers, protests erupted in valley parts. One more youth was shot dead, two other severely injured, by army in Nutnussa area of Kupwara Friday afternoon taking dead toll to five.

Speaking to Kashmir Life, ADC Handwara said, “curfew is in place in view of the situation.” He hung the phone instantly.

Meanwhile, reports said that Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti is likely to visit bereaved families in Handwara.

Kashmir Life got in touch with PDP senior leaders and cabinet ministers including A R Veeri and Ab Haq Khan and MP Fayaz A Mir but nobody spoke. When called, J&K government spokesperson and PDP senior leader, Naeem Akhtar, did not respond.

Ab Haq Khan and MP Fayaz A Mir are camping in Kupwara to diffuse the situation.

Local reports from Handwara, Langate, Trehgam and Drugmulla said that barricades have been erected in areas where violence erupted in last four days while J&K Police and paramilitary forces are patrolling the areas.

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