Valley shuts again, protests continue
4 policemen among 24 injured in renewed clashes
Srinagar September 04:
At least fifteen persons were injured in fresh clashes as Valley observed complete strike in response to the call given by pro-freedom Hurriyat Conference (G) on Saturday.
Reports and eyewitnesses told that six persons were injured in pitched battles between protesters and the forces in Kurhama area of district Ganderbal.
Reports said hundreds of people mainly youth this afternoon took to streets and staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations, the people tried to march through the streets of the town. However, CRPF and police deployed in advance resorted to cane charge and fired numerous teargas canisters in a bid to quell the demonstrators.
In retaliation, eyewitnesses said angry protesters hurled rocks and stones on the forces triggering off fierce clashes. The clashes that continued for several hours left six civilians injured.
However, in the neighboring Kangan area, hundreds of people staged peaceful pro-freedom demonstrations.
Peaceful protests were also held in Budgam, Ompora, Galwanpora, Soibug, Choun and other areas of the central Kashmir.
In Soibugh, scores of people staged demonstrations to protest the arrest of four youth identified as Iqbal Wani, son of Ghulam Mohammad Wani, Abdur Rashid, son of Mohammad Akram, Naseer Malik, son of Mohammad Sultan, Showkat Ahmad, son of Ali Mohammad Malik. The people were demanding the immediate release of all the youth.
Protests and clashes were also reported from all the three districts of North Kashmir.
correspondent from North Kashmir said that thousands of people staged demonstrations in Ajas area of Bandipore district after Zuhr prayers. The people shouting pro-freedom slogans were protesting against the recent civilian deaths.
In Sumbal area of the district, CRPF men opened several shots in air when the joint team of forces came under stone pelting from the youth. However, no reports of any injury were received.
In neighboring Kupwara district, peaceful demonstrations were held at Yunsoo, Langate, Kralgund, Trehgam, Tujjer, Darzi Mohalla, main chowk and other areas. The demonstrations dispersed off peacefully.
In Baramulla district, several people were injured due to the alleged beating by the forces.
At least eight people, reports and eyewitnesses said were injured after being thrashed by forces during a pro-freedom demonstration in Zaloora area of Sopore town this afternoon. Two of the injured have been identified as Abdul Waheed Lone and Altaf Ahmad Ganai. Both of them were rushed to hospital for treatment.
In Palhalan, thousands of men, women and children staged demonstrations to protest the alleged harassment by the forces. The protesters blocked Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway for several hours demanding the release of Mohammad Akbar and his son Waseem who were arrested by police during a raid last night.
“Police is trying its best to curb our voice and sentiments. Raids, harassment and arrests have become order of the day. Last night they arrested father son duo. Shame on the government,” Bashir Ahmad, a protester said.
In Dobiwan, Tangmarg, hundreds of people staged demonstrations to protest the arrest of two youth identified as Urfeen Ahmad, son of Ghulam Mohammad Ganai and Bilal Ahmad, son of Mohammad Akbar Shah. Forces swung into action and tried to disperse the demonstrators. In retaliation, protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces sparking off ding-dong battles. However, no one was injured in the incident. Two people were also arrested by police. One of them has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh.
Angry protesters also thrashed to pulp a renegade (Ikhwani) in the area. Anis Ahmad Mir, a pro-government gunman of Pattan was travelling in his car when protesters intercepted him near Dobiwan and thrashed him to the pulp.
Peaceful pro-freeodm demonstrations were also held in Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama and Islamabd district of South Kashmir.
Reports said after offering Zuhr prayers, thousands of people took to streets in South Kashmir districts and staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Shouting “We want freedom,” “Islam Zindabad,” “Go India Go Back,” and anti –India slogans, the people were protesting the killing of unarmed civilians by forces.
In Srinagar, at least four people, two among them received pellet injuries when CRPF and police opened fire upon a group of pro-freedom demonstrators in Saraf Kadal area of the old city. The injured have been identified as Shabir AhmaFd Sheikh, son of Jalal-ud-din of Rainawari and Abrar Malik, son of Mohammad Afzal Malik of Nawa Kadal.
Forces also fired teargas shells upon protesters in Fateh Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Naid Kadal and Karfali Mohalla.
The locals of Khanyar and Bon Mohalla Fateh Kadal and Malaratta charged the troops and police of going berserk after failing to disperse the pro-freedom demonstrators this afternoon. The locals alleged that forces barged into residential houses and ransacked household goods. Window panes of several houses were also damaged by the forces, residents alleged.
At Parmpora, scores of people staged protests after two youth identified as Deedar Ahmad and Waseem were arrested by police. The protesters were demanding the release of the duo.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed across the Valley in response to the call given by pro-freedom Hurriyat Conference (G). All shops, private and government offices, banks and financial institutions, educational institutes and coaching centers, petrol pumps remained closed throughout the day while transport was off the road.
In Srinagar, the capital city, thousands of heavily armed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and police guarded the deserted markets, roads, streets, lanes and by lanes to thwart the attempt of the people to stage pro-freedom demonstrations.
In a official handout issued this evening, police said that barring few incidents of stone pelting in old city, situation across the Valley remained peaceful.
Two youth, the spokesman said was injured when police fired rubber pellets to disperse mob in Saraf Kadal and Bohri Kadal area of the old city. The youth, they said were stable.
“There were no restrictions on the movement of the people and vehicular traffic was also plying normally. Shops in certain pockets and by-lanes were also open,” the spokesman added
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