12 College students injured in Kulgam clashes

Srinagar/May,18: Over a dozen students and video journalist were wounded during clashes in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Two girl students fainted while a student with serious pellet injuries was referred to Srinagar hospital for treatment.
Students of Degree College Kulgam alleged that police action was uncalled for as they were peacefully protesting in College premises. However, a police official while refuting the allegations said that students of Degree College Kulgam resorted to intense stone-pelting without any provocation. “The students targeted SP residence, MP Nazir Ahmed Laway’s residence and Court building. Police exercised restraint and fired some tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesting students.
Eyewitnesses said that government forces resorted to intense tear-gas shelling and showered pellets on the students. Medicos at District Hospital Kulgam said that 12 students including 5 girl students were brought in the hospital with pellet injuries. They however said that two girl students Shaista Gul and Uzma Jan were also brought into hospital in unconscious state.  They said a student Amir Fayaz with multiple pellet injuries was shifted to SMHS Hsopital Srinagar for specialized treatment. The pellet hit  persons have been identified as Arif Ahmed Mala son of Abdul Rashid, Adil Ahmed son of Muhammad Yousuf, Shahid Ahmed son of Manzoor Ahmed, Misbah Jan daughter of Ghulam Mohiuddin, Sartaj Ahmed son of Abdul Rashid, Irtiqa Banoo daughter of Farooq Ahmed, Sarweeda, daughter of Manzoor Ahmed, Tanvir Ahmed (Video journalist), Suriya Bano daughter of Abdul Rashid, Bilkeesa daughter Muhammad Amin and Ajaz Ahmed daughter of Ghulam Hussain.
When contacted, Principal Degree College Kulgam said that shortly after the episode, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam convened a meeting that was attended by top police and administrative officials.
Meanwhile, a police Constable was critically injured after hit by a stone in head at Awantipora area in southern part of Kashmir’s Pulwama district last night.
The injured cop has been identified as Riyaz Ahmad.
Police officials said that the constable was hit by a stone on his head when “miscreants” pelted stones on police vehicle last night.
“The injured police Constable was shifted to nearby hospital where from he was referred to SKIMS, Soura in critical conditions,” they said adding “he was battling for life at SKIMS.”
Police said that the said constable was part of a police party which was returning from Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) site in Tral area.