Afzal Guru hanging: Three dead in clashes; Kashmir tense

Three people, including a young boy, have died in clashes between those protesting against Guru's execution and law enforcement agencies since Saturday.

Another 50 people, including 23 policemen, have been injured in those clashes.

Fourteen companies of the Border Security Force, or BSF, were sent to the Valley today.

The administration has deployed extra security today as it is the death anniversary of separatist leader Maqbool Bhat, who, like Afzal Guru, was hanged in Tihar Jail in 1984 for killing an intelligence officer. His death had created unrest in the Valley.

Only ambulances and staff of the essential services department have been issued curfew passes to facilitate their movement in Srinagar today.

Internet, mobile data and cable services, which were restricted following Afzal Guru's hanging, continue to remain down in many parts of the state.

Guru's family says that they learnt about his execution via TV. They received the letter from the government about his execution only today.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today said that if Guru's family applies for permission to visit his grave at the Tihar Jail, the government will consider the request.

Human rights activists and Kashmiri leaders have criticised the government for multitude lapses. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said yesterday that he feared Guru's execution would fuel the feeling of alienation in his state. In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Mr Abdullah also said, "As a human being, I cannot reconcile to the fact that Afzal Guru was not allowed to see his family. That is one of the biggest tragedies of this execution."

Afzal Guru, convicted of plotting the strike on Parliament on December 13, 2001, was hanged on Saturday after his mercy petition was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee. Guru was awarded the death sentence by the Supreme Court in 2004.