In Depth: Kashmir stir continues, dozen hurt Srinagar: Adil Lateef, Sheikh Junaid Despite a stringent curfew and curbs in parts, Kashmir region Friday witnessed protests and clashes between youth and government forces. The call for protests was given by both factions of Hurriyat Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). South Kashmir: Strict curfew was imposed in Kulgam, Islamabad, Pulwama and Shopian towns on Friday. In all these three towns, police and paramilitary forces wearing riot gears and armed with sticks were deployed in strength to thwart any protests. Police and CRPF had erected barricades and bunkers at many places and people were not allowed to venture out Soon after Friday prayers in Gagran Shopian a protest demonstration was taken out, however, police and paramilitary troopers used force to quell the demonstrators by firing tear smoke shells. The youth retaliated with throwing rocks during which three protesters suffered minor injuries. Late in afternoon, the clashes turned violent at Shopian when a group of youth pounced on a policeman and beat him severely. The injured cop identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat was immediately shifted to hospital for treatment. A local news gathering agency, while quoting official sources, writes: five persons suffered minor injuries in clashes that erupted in other areas of Shopian including Bungam, Gagran, Memendarnt. Massive protests and clashes erupted in parts of Pulwama district after Friday prayers in which one person was injured in forces’ action. The clashes took place at Khrew, Namlabal and Kadlabal areas. Witnesses said the groups of youth took to streets and held strong protests. They were raising slogans in favor of freedom and against Shopian killings. The clashes continued for some time during which a youth identified as Ajaz Ahmed Bhat son of Abdul Hamid was detained by police.The residents of area alleged that forces ransacked their houses and broke the windowpanes.However, a police official said nobody was injured and denied ransacking allegations. “Some youth tried to take out a protest and they pelted stones on forces,” he said and added that situation was brought under control soon after the incident. In Redwan area of Kulgam, massive protests were reported after Friday prayers. Central Kashmir: In summer capital Srinagar, protests and clashes between government forces took place at various places after Friday congregational prayers, reports said. In old city’s Kadi Kadal and Saraf Kadal, scores of youth took to streets and held pro-freedom and anti-India protests. They were chanting slogans against Shopian killings. “However police and CRPF personals deployed in the areas dispersed protesters by chasing them. The protesters pelted stones on the government forces for brief time and later they dispersed. During minor clashes, no one was injured. In central Jamia Masjid, a protest rally was taken out by Hurriyat Conference, headed by Mirwaiz, leaders against Shopian killings after Friday prayers. There was no prayer at the Mosque and head priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was under house arrest. He addressed the protesters via phone. However, government forces resorted to baton charge and tear smoke shelling to disperse the protesters, a local news gathering agency said. The protesters pelted stones on the forces, which continued for an hour, the news agency said. In civil lines, Maisuma, a protest rally was taken out JKLF chief, Yasin Malik, from its headquarters after Friday prayers. The protesters started marching towards clock tower, Lal Chowk. However, a huge number of police and paramilitaries were additionally deployed in Budshah square, who stopped the protesters. The police detained Malik along with his dozens of supporters after firing tear smoke shells and cane charge. The demonstrators tried to break the police cordon; however, they were chased by them. The police action created chaos in Budshah Chowk and Maisuma. Soon after Malik was detained, youth pelted stones on government forces in Maisuma and Gawkadal. The clashes continued for nealy an hour. A protest rally was taken out from Masjid Iqra in civil lines Saria Bala by Hurriyat Condrence, headed by Syed Ali Geelani, leaders. The protesters were shouting pro-freedom slogans they were also chanting slogans against Shopian killings. The protest concluded peacefully. Another protest rally was taken out from city’s Abi Guzar area by a Hurriyat leader, who was later detained by police. In Ganderbal district, clashes were reported from Khurhama between government forces and youth. The protests erupted after police detained a suspected stone-thrower in connection with stone-pelting on army vehicles yesterday in the area. Two youth were injured after they were hit by pellets in Bursoo, police said. The two have been identified as Muhammad Younis Ganai and Riyaz Ahmad Ganai. The duo was shifted to SMHS hospital where there condition is said to be ‘stable’. In Kangan, youth attacked CRPF with stones on Friday late evening, reports said. However, they were chased away by paramilitary forces.The protests against Shopian killings were also reported from Budgam district. North Kashmir: The post-Friday prayer protests were reported from Baramulla while as a complete shutdown against the ‘mysterious’ death of a pro-freedom leader, Abdul Rashid Gazi was observed. All the shops, business establishments and educational institutions were closed. A protest demonstration was held at Bus Stand Baramulla and Khanpora Bridge, while youth resorted to stone pelting at few places in the township. However, they were chased by the police. Reports of protests were also received from, Main Chowk Sopore, Naidkhai Sumbal in Bandipora and Jamia Masjid Kupwara against the Shopian Killings. Police say: A police handout issued on Friday read: Curfew was imposed in Shopain, Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Bijbihara towns and Kakpora. "Miscreants tried to disrupt normal life at Papchan, Naidkhai, Barsu, Maisuma and in some places in Baramulla district by pelting stones. Police exercised maximum restraint. 12 persons- 10 Police CRPF and 02 civilians were injured," it said.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 02:14:27 +0000
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