Srinagar Kashmir July 16:
While as curfew was re-imposed in several districts, police burst tear smoke and fired warning shots to quell post- prayer demonstrations called by Geelani led Huriyat Conference across the Kashmir Valley. At least 40 people, including several policemen suffered injuries in the fresh clashes.
In its ongoing ‘Quit Kashmir’ campaign, Hurriyat Conference (G) last week had asked the people to wear white dress and stage peaceful pro-freedom demonstrations across the Valley. However, the pro-freedom conglomerate had asked city residents to march to Batmaloo locality to pay tributes to the four people, including a young woman, who were killed by CRPF troops.
Reports and eyewitnesses said that defying curfew and restrictions, thousands of people after offering Friday prayers staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations in Kralgund, Langate, Kalamchakla, Magam, Trehgam, Darzi Mohalla and district headquarters of the frontier Kupwara district this afternoon. However, the biggest demonstration was witnessed at Yunsoo.
At least ten thousand people took out a peaceful rally in Yunsoo area of Handwara after Friday prayers. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the rally passed through different areas of the town before reaching Ujar, where the rally dispersed peacefully.
Similar procession was taken out by the residents of Kralpora in the town. However, CRPF troops and police burst tear smoke shells and resorted to cane charge to disperse the protesters. In retaliation, the protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces sparking off ding-dong battles that continued for several hours. At least eight people, eyewitnesses said, received injuries in the clashes.
In neighboring Baramulla district, where curfew like restrictions were put in place, at least four people were injured in the clashes that broke out after CRPF troops and police used force to quell a pro-freedom demonstration in old town of the district.
Reports from North Kashmir said that hundreds of people mainly youth took to streets in old town and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations in response to the call given by Hurriyat Conference (G). Shouting “We want freedom,” “Islam Zindabad,” “Go India Go Back,” and vociferous pro-Geelani and anti-India slogans, the protesters marched through lanes and by lanes of the old town before reaching cement bridge.
CRPF and police deployed in advance burst tear smoke shells and resorted to cane charge to break up the demonstrations. However, the protesters offered stiff resistance and pelted stones and rocks on the forces sparking off clashes. Forces fired scores of shots in air after they failed to disperse the protesting youth with teargas canisters and baton charge. At least four people, reports said, suffered injuries in the clashes that continued till late evening.
Pro-freedom demonstrations were also held at Rafiabad, Hadipora, Pattan and Narwaav areas of the district.
Reports of protests and clashes were also received from Islamabad, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts of South Kashmir.
Hundreds of people after offering prayers took out a peaceful procession from Jamia Masid, Bijbehara this afternoon. Chanting vociferous pro-freedom, pro-Islam and anti-India slogans, the protesters led by Mufti Zia-ul-Haq marched through various streets of the town before reaching main chowk. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
Protests were also held in Anchidora, Mattan, Sellar and other areas of the Islamabad district.
In Ganderbal district, at least five people, including a senior police officer was injured when protesters clashed with troops and police in Daderhama area of the district. The people were staging protests against the recent killings across the valley.
In Srinagar, the capital city, authorities’ enforced undeclared curfew in almost all the areas of the old city and uptown in view of the ‘Batmaloo Chalo’ march today. Hundreds of paramilitary CRPF and police, equipped with riot gear and automatic rifles had laid a siege around Nowhatta, Gojwara, Saraf Kadal, Kawdara, Nawa Kadal, Nawab Bazar, Safa Kadal, Eidgah. Maisuma, Khayam, Batmaloo and other areas of the city.
Despite severe restrictions, scores of people staged pro-freedom demonstrations in Barzulla, Hyderpora, Rainawari, Hazratbal and other areas of the city.
Reports and eyewitnesses said that scores of people took out a march from Ikhrajpora locality of Rajbagh this afternoon. Chanting “We want Freedom,” “Go India Go Back,” “Islam Zindabad,” and anti-India slogans, the protesters tried to march towards Batmaloo. However, CRPF troops and police resorted to cane charge and lobbed several tear smoke shell to quell the demonstration. The protesters reacted by pelting stones on the troops and policemen. The pitched battles between the two parties continued for some time leaving three people injured.
Similar procession was taken out from Dalgate area of the city. However, police used force to disperse it.
Meanwhile, curfew, restrictions and the call for post prayer demonstrations paralyzed normal life across the valley for the twelfth consecutive day today. Shops, offices, educational institutes, banks, petrol pumps, business establishments and government offices across the Valley remained closed, while transport remained off the roads. Vehicles carrying troops and police were only seen plying on the otherwise busy roads of the summer capital.
No comments:
Post a Comment