7 injured in protests; Mehbooba, Mirwaiz condemn use of force

Srinagar: Protesters and security forces clashed on Sunday during the funeral procession of a militant commander in Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir, leaving seven civilians injured and drawing condemnation from former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer.
Stone-pelting youths clashed with the security forces in Sugan village, from which hailed Al-Badr commander Zeenatul Islam alias Zeenat alias Usman, who was killed in a gunfight with the security forces on Saturday in Kulgam district along with his associate.
His associate was identified as Shakeel Ahmad Dar. Both were wanted for their complicity in a series of crimes including attacks on security establishments.
Zeenat was affiliated with Al-Badr and was earlier arrested. After his release, he joined the Hizbul Mujahideen and recently he rejoined Al-Badr. After their deaths, their bodies were handed over to their families.
The security forces on Sunday fired in the air to disperse the protesters who resorted to violence while marching to attend the funeral of the militant commander, a police officer said.
Mehbooba Mufti said in a statement that aerial firing aimed at stopping mourners would lead to further alienation. Mirwaiz Umer said on his Twitter page: “Use of brutal force on the martyr’s funeral is not only un-Islamic and undemocratic but contrary to human values.” (IANS)