Sumbal Killings: Shutdown, protests continue in Bandipora Stone Pelting, Clashes In Many Areas; Scores Injured Bandipora, July 2: Amid a complete shutdown, protests against the killing of two youth by Army continued to rock several areas of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district for the third consecutive day Tuesday. Several persons were reportedly injured in today’s clashes even as restrictions on public movement continued at many places in the district. Life continued to remain paralyzed as educational institutions, banks, government and private offices remained closed while public and private transport remained off the roads. Some vehicles were plying in the outskirts of Bandipora town. In many areas like Hajin, Sumbal, Naidkhai and Markundal, authorities continued restrictions to thwart any demonstration. The main roads and streets were dotted with heavy presence of police and paramilitary troopers. In Bandipora town, some youth took to streets at Gulshan Chowk. The protesters, raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, attempted to take out processions at various places. They tried to set ablaze a municipality building in Main Chowk,however police swung into action and cane-charged the protesters who responded by pelting stones. Situation remained tense as police and protesters fought pitched battles that continued for the whole day. Police fired dozens of teargas shells as protesters offered stiff resistance. About 5 persons were injured in the clashes. Later in the evening when the police and troopers were returning to their barracks, youth again regrouped and resorted to heavy stone pelting at several places. In Hajin, Sumbal and Markundal, large contingents of police and paramilitary forces were deployed and all the entry and exit points were sealed. However, people held peaceful protest demonstrations at several places including Bharabad, Hajin, Markundal and Asham. Barricades and razor wires were erected at various places on Hajin-Sumbal road. However youth took to roads and engaged police and paramilitary forces in pitched battles. In Naidkhai, several persons including CRPF personnel were injured in the intense clashes between the protesting youth and the troopers in the afternoon. The youth resorted to heavy stone pelting and the troopers had a tough time in dispersing them. Police said there was no curfew in place and only restrictions were continued in Hajin, Sumbal, Markundal and Naidkhai. “The situation was normal all over the district, however some youth hurled stones on police,” a police spokesman said. Police have appealed elders in the area to control youth who “unnecessarily hurl stones on police as well as civilians.” AKBAR LONE VISITS LAHARWAL FAMILY An official statement said Tuesday that on the directions of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, the Minister for Higher Education, Muhammad Akbar Lone, along with MLA, Nasir Aslam Wani and senior leader of NC Showkat Ahmad Mir, today visited the House of Tariq Ahmad Laharwal son of Ghulam Qadir Laharwal of Kundbal Safapora to express sympathies and solidarity with the bereaved family. "The minister handed over a cheque of Rs 2 lakh to the family members as ex-gratia relief and assured the family that the benefit of compassionate appointment will also be extended to the next of kin," the statement added. Sheikh Nazir adds from Ganderbal > Clashes broke out between youth and the forces deployed near Mansbal Garden on late Tuesday evening. Youth engaged the cops and fought pitched battles with them. > Some politicians, including a cabinet minister, had to face hostile protesters at Kondbal when they reached there to condole Tariq’s demise. However, elders intervened and pacified the angry youth.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 06:53:00 +0000
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