The toll from clashes that broke out in Jammu and Kashmir following Hizbul Mujahedeen chief Burhan Muzaffar Wani's death has risen to 18. More than 150 people were injured in the protests. At least 100 security personnel were injured, and three police officers are still missing. All ten districts in the state are under curfew, and the Amarnath Yatra is still suspended, NDTV reported.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urged police and paramilitary forces to stick to the Standard Operational Procedure “to avoid loss of precious human lives or injuries.” “Disproportionate use of force for crowd control results in loss of precious lives and grave injuries, which should be avoided at all costs,” she said.
Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting on Sunday to review the law and order situation in the state. Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and senior officials of the ministry, among others, attended the meeting, ANI reported. Singh has assured Mufti of Central assistance to help handle the situation.
Security has been heightened in Srinagar, where curfew-like restrictions were imposed. Police had to fire smoke shells to quell protests in many places, reported Tribune India. Mobile internet was blocked in Jammu and Kashmir.
A crowd of around 20,000 people gathered at Wani's funeral in his hometown, Tral, in south Kashmir. Security forces were withdrawn from the burial ground to prevent any untoward incident.
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