Curfew was imposed in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town on Monday following the death of two protesters in police firing. Fifteen persons, including three police officials, were also injured in protests against alleged police misbehaviour with a local woman, Hasina Akther.

The woman and her husband were in police custody in an abduction case. Hasina’s brother Mehraj-ud-din Ganie had allegedly abducted a minor girl on June 17.

Protests began Sunday evening and continued on Monday. Protesters pelted stones at the police and the CRPF men, who retaliated by cane charging and tear-gassing and later firing on the protesters. Mohammad Saleem, 17, a resident of the town’s Mir Sahib locality, was killed and three others were wounded in the firing. Two of the wounded were rushed to SKIMS Hospital, Srinagar, where one of them, Tariq Ahmad Malik, 22, succumbed to his injuries. The other, Amir Rashid, who sustained serious head injuries, is reported to be critical.

The news of the deaths fuelled further protests across the town. Sensing trouble, the district administration put the town under curfew. However, police had difficulty imposing the curfew as protests continued till late in the evening.

Locals allege that police fired on the protesters without any provocation. “Instead of using tear gas and cane charge, the policemen opened fire on protesters. The police could have easily avoided the causalities,” said Javid Ahmad, an eyewitness.

The state Government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. “The inquiry will be headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, who will submit his report within 10 days,” Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Lateef -u-Zaman Deva told The Indian Express.