Protesters clash with cops in Srinagar; 5 hurt

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: At least five persons were today injured in stone-pelting and fresh violence in Srinagar city over the Amarnath land row as tension prevailed in the Kashmir valley in the wake of the death of a youth in police action.

Police lobbed teargas shells to quell stone-throwing protesters in Maisuma locality where the youth was killed yesterday after being hit by a teargas shell.

While four persons were wounded during clashes and teargassing, one person was injured when he was hit by a stone in Budhshah Chowk area where protesters and police fought a pitched battle, official sources said.

Police also teargassed protesters in Nowhatta and Chanapora localities of the city, they said. All the injured have been admitted to SMHS hospital here.

Srinagar wore a deserted look as schools, colleges, shops and business establishments remained closed in major areas in the wake of the violence. Police reports said that there was tension in Sopore, Baramulla, Anantnag and Pulwama areas in the valley.

Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry was today ordered into the police firing in Jammu region's Samba district in which two persons were killed and 18 others were injured during a protest rally on the Amarnath issue on Monday.

The probe will investigate what prompted police led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhat Singh to open fire without magisterial orders, Samba District Magistrate Surav Bhagat said.