Updated
Srinagar/New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI): Authorities today imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of Srinagar and Kupwara districts in Jammu and Kashmir as tension mounted over the killing of three persons in firing by security forces to quell protests after an alleged molestation incident.
As the death toll rose to three after a 55-year-old woman today succumbed to her injuries sutained during the firing in Handwara, 85 km from Srinagar, in Kupwara district yesterday, J and K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti raised the matter with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who assured her that a probe will be initiated and the culprits will be punished.
Describing the firing incident as "very unfortunate", Mehbooba, who is on her maiden visit to Delhi after assuming the post of chief minister, said she raised the matter with Parrikar.
"I spoke to Defence Minister. He assured me that a probe will be initiated and the culprits will be punished. "At the same time the families(of the victims) will be compensated. Such incidents should not happen in the future," she told reporters in Delhi.
Two youths, including a budding cricketer, were killed when Army opened fire to disperse a stone-pelting mob which was protesting against alleged molestation of a girl by an army jawan.
Army today released a purported video statement of the girl given to the police to claim there is no case of molestation by its jawan.
"If you focus on the video released by us, it clears that there is no case of molestation. It is a malafide intent by some elements to malign the good image of Army," Defense Spokesperson N N Joshi said.
"Army regrets the loss of life. The matter is being investigated. Anybody found guilty shall be dealt severely as per law," he said.
The Army also issued a press release in which it said the video footage "implicated" local youth of misdemeanour.
"The truth from Handwara: the girl, purportedly molested by an army soldier, exposes the malicious intent of perpetrators. "Implicates local youth of misdemeanor and false propaganda that resulted in massive protests," it said.
Raja Begum (55) of Langate succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar the wee hours, a police official said.
He said four others injured in the incident were undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
Curfew-like Restrictions were imposed in six police station areas of Srinagar city and Handwara area of Kupwara in north Kashmir, a police official said.
He said restrictions were imposed in Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safakadal and Maisuma police station areas of Srinagar as a precautionary measure in view of apprehensions of law and order problems.
Most of the shops, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut in areas other than those were restrictions have been imposed.
Public transport was off the roads while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying, the official said. He said reports of shutdown were received from most of the district headquarters of the Valley.
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Earlier:
Death toll in Handwara firing climbs to three, Army orders probe
Srinagar, Apr 13 (PTI): A woman, who was injured when security forces opened fire in Handwara town of north Kashmir to quell a stone-pelting mob, succumbed at a hospital here today, taking the death toll in the incident to three.
Raja Begum (55) of Langate succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Hospital here in the wee hours, a police official said.
He said four others injured in the incident were undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
Two youth were killed yesterday in firing by army on protestors in Handwara town. Protests erupted in Handwara town of Kupwara district, following allegations that a girl student, on her way home, was molested by soldiers posted in an army picket in the town, official sources said.
They said the protestors pelted stones at the army picket to which the security forces retailed by firing.
Two youth -- Iqbal Ahmad and Nayeem Bhat -- were killed in the firing, the sources said, adding a woman was also critically injured in the incident.
Army has expressed regret over the loss of life in the and initiated an inquiry into the incident.
"Army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life.The matter will be investigated and anybody found guilty, will be dealt as per the law," an army official said.