Kashmir Unrest: Death Toll Rises to 68, Demand for Pellet Gun Ban Intensifies

Local Editor

Police officials in Jammu and Kashmir said that the curfew will persist on Monday. Many had demanded that security personnel no longer be allowed to fire pellet guns at protesters; over the weekend, a child was struck and killed by a police pellet.

Opposition leaders representing Jammu and Kashmir met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi seeking an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns.

A delegation led by former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah submitted a memorandum which read, "We are of the firm opinion that the Central Government should waste no further time in initiating a credible and meaningful political dialogue with all stakeholders to address the unrest in the state."

Abdullah said, "Continued failure to address the unrest in Kashmir will further deepen the sense of alienation among civilians."

Meanwhile, days after a teenager was killed in clashes with security personnel, the situation has become very tense in Kashmir valley.

Police officials had decided to maintain a curfew throughout the entire Kashmir valley to maintain law and order.

On Sunday evening, 17-year-old Irfan Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar, was killed after being struck by a tear gas shell which was fired by state police to disperse protesters.

On Saturday, an eight-year-old boy was hit by a pellet gun used by state police. By 11th August, security personnel had used 1.3 million pellets to control crowds which have been protesting the death of militant Burhan Wani since July 8.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team