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JK: CRPF troopers open fire on mob, 1 dead

June 20, 2010 14:40 IST

One person was killed and four wounded when security forces opened fire on a mob that attacked a bunker of Central Reserve Police Force in the Noorbagh locality of Srinagar on Sunday.

Trouble erupted during the funeral of Rafiq Bangroo, whose family alleged that CRPF troopers beat up the 25-year-old at Noorbagh during last week's protests in Srinagar. Bangroo battled for his life in the medical institute for a week before succumbing to injuries.

While his body was being carried for burial in the Noorbagh area, angry mobs in the funeral procession targeted a CRPF bunker, hurling stones at it.

A senior police officer said the CRPF troopers opened fire to disperse the mob wounding five persons, who were evacuated to SMHS hospital.

A 26-year-old youth Javed Ahmad Malla, who had received a critical bullet injury in his neck, succumbed to his wounds in the hospital. The four other injured are being treated for gunshot wounds. The condition of two is stated to be serious.

High tension gripped the Noorbagh and its adjoining localities, and authorities moved heavy police and paramilitary reinforcements to enforce curfew in the area.

Latest reports said the police fired warning shots to disperse stone pelting mobs in the Safakadal locality, as the body of Javed Ahmad Malla was handed over to his kin for burial.

Tension gripped Srinagar last week after a 17-year-old youth, Tufail Ahmad Mattoo, died after being hit by a teargas shell on his head.
Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar