Situation tense in Baramulla as boy dies in clash with police

The youths, demanding stern action against the erring policemen, took to the streets and pelted stones at police and paramilitary forces deployed in the town to enforce prohibitory orders.

Irfan Ahmad Lone was yesterday killed and four others were injured when police resorted to baton charge and fired teargas shells to quell a demonstration in the town to protest the continuing house arrest of chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Geelani was placed under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar on September 9, a day after he was released on court orders after 95 days of imprisonment under Public Safety Act. While police claimed that the boy died of a heart attack, locals allege that he was hit by a teargas shell on his head.

Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Lateef-e-Zeman Deva today ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Superintendent of Police Baramulla V Kumar said police fired teargas yesterday when the mob tried to attack the local police station. One of the protesters was injured in the clashes, who later succumbed in Srinagar. "As per initial reports the boy died of cardiovascular attack on the spot. But we are waiting for the final reports to initiate the inquiry," Kumar said.