Monday, June 12 2006 17:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: A teenaged boy died after sustaining a bullet wound and 25 people were injured as violent protests continued for a third day in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir against the alleged desecration of a mosque and the Quran and subsequent firing by the Army.

"Javid Ahmad Malik, a class 10 student, was killed,allegedly when police and paramilitary forces opened fire to disperse agitated protestors at Trehgam, 96 km from here, after some security personnel were manhandled by them," officials said.

None of the other injured, including 10 security men, had received bullet injuries, they said, but were hurt in the clashes which were going on since the morning.

"The security forces fired warning shots after tear gassing and using batons proved ineffective in dispersing the protestors who threw stones and tried to march towards the district headquarters in violation of prohibitory orders," they said.

Confirming that security personnel opened fire, Kupwara Deputy Commissioner Abdul Majid Khanday said police and paramilitary personnel were attacked by the violent mobs and had to open fire in self-defence.

He described the situation in the area as tense, adding that there are elements who do not want the situation to return to normal. Efforts are being made to restore order, he said.

Khanday said he had already ordered strict implementation of prohibitory orders and also announced closure of all educational institutions in the entire district for three days as part of efforts to restore order in the border district.

"We are monitoring the situation," he said.

The trouble erupted on Saturday when residents of Zirhama village of Trehgam took to the streets against the alleged desecration of a mosque and Quran by Army personnel.

The situation took an ugly turn when the protestors were fired upon by the troops in which one person was killed and several were injured.