By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Managing Editor
SRINAGAR, Kashmir – Police in India-administered Kashmir reprovingly shot and killed a 16-year-old boy on Saturday during a demonstration on the outskirts of the city of Srinagar, the regions summer capital, as a separatist strike shut down the region for a second second day of violent clashes between Kashmiri separatist and Indian officials. The young boy’s uncle claims his nephew was detained by Indian police before he was shot and killed at point-blank range; Indian officials say they are investigating the allegations.
Indian police reported that they had arrested two officers accused of being involved in the shooting a few hours after the incident. Witnesses say three others were injured during clashes with police. In a police statement Indian Police expressed concerns over the killing of the young protester saying; “regret the unfortunate incident.” the statement added that “a preliminary inquiry conducted into the matter indicates that the forces deployed have acted in violation of the laid-down SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).”
The demonstrators erupted in response to India’s apparent crackdown on separatists leadership within occupied Kashmir. The police killing occurred after protests erupted the day before after Friday prayers. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets into crowds of protesters on Friday as demonstrators threw rocks at police and changed anti-Indian and pro-Pakistan slogans, Indian officials said. Earlier, Indian Police arrested Masarat Alam, a top Kashmiri separatist leader for allegedly leading an anti-India demonstration earlier in the week. Alam was placed under house arrest on Thursday night and then formally arrested Friday. His arrested came just weeks after he was released from prison after serving an five yer term for organizing anti-Indian protests in 2010. During the clashes on Friday, 30 people, mainly police officers, were injured as pro-Pakistani demonstrators in the city of Srinagar set fire to an Indian flag and threw rocks at police while protesting the arrest of Masarat Alam.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam addressed the violence in Kashmir saying; “brutality and coercion will not suppress aspirations and struggle of Kashmiris of their right to self-determination, promised by the United Nations Security Council resolutions,” she said. “Pakistan is deeply concerned at increase in systematic human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir and condemns brutal use of force by Indian security forces.”
Anti-Indian sentiment runs deep within the Indian administrated region of Kashmir. The Himalayan territory is dived by the Line of Control which separates the Pakistan-administered region from the Indian-Administrated region divining families and communities with shared cultural heritage between the two states. A number of militant organizations have operated in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir since the insurgency began in 1989, an estimated 68,000 people have killed in the fighting.
For more information please see:
The Express Tribune – Police Shoot 16-Year-Old Protester Dead in Indian Kashmir – 18 April 2015
The New York Times – One Killed in Kashmir Valley Protest – 18 April 2015
The Times of India – Jammu & Kashmir Police Accept Lapses in Narbal firing that Killed a Teenager – 18 April 2015
Reuters – Violent Clashes Erupt in Kashmir Over Arrest of Separatist Leaders – 17 April 2015
