Protests, clashes in Srinagar leave one injured

SRINAGAR: A hunt by police to nab those displaying controversial flags today sparked protests and clashes between mobs and security personnel in some parts of old Srinagar, leaving one youth injured in firing.

Police carried out night raids in various parts of the old city to nab those who displayed controversial flags and indulged in stone-pelting at security forces yesterday after Friday prayers.

To protest these night raids, a major part of downtown Srinagar from Khanyar to Hawal including Jamia Masjid observed a shutdown today.

Clashes were also witnessed at a number of places with protesters pelting stones on security forces who retaliated, police officials said.

In one of these clashes, a 20-year-old boy was hit by a bullet in the right leg when security personnel allegedly opened fire at a stone-pelting mob at Saraf Kadal Chowk, a police officer said.

The injured Sajad Ahmad Mir was admitted to hospital where his condition was stated to be "stable".

Minor clashes between protesters and security personnel were also reported from Jamia Masjid area and a few other localities but there was no report of any casualty, the officer said.

The protesters, who blocked the main roads in dozens of localities in and around the historic Jamia Masjid, in the wee hours accused police of highhandedness during the raids.

The protesters also alleged that relatives of some of the absconding accused were detained.