Violent protests in Valley, 2 killed
The Kashmir valley saw violent protests on Friday, resulting in two deaths, following secessionists call to hold demonstrations.
By Masood Hussain, ET Bureau |
SRINAGAR: After days of lull, the Kashmir valley saw violent protests on Friday, resulting in two deaths, following secessionists call to hold demonstrations.
One person died on the spot and 19 injured in the apple town of Shopian. Five were admitted to hospitals, where two were stated to be critical. Following the incident, the entire town came out on to the roads, flouting curfew restrictions.
Angry mobs resorted to brick bating and set afire a government building and a vehicle. This forced withdrawal of paramilitary forces and deployment of Army amid frequent announcements that curfew has been imposed. People were on roads till last reports came in.
Reports from Baramulla said police fired tear smoke shells towards a mob. One shell hit a labourer Manzoor Ahmad who died in the local hospital.
After many days of normalcy, the Kashmir Co-ordination Committee had asked people to stop activity by 12.30 pm and after prayers to attend ���peaceful protests.��� There were protests in several locations and the secessionists alleged that in most cases a pro-active police provoked the mobs.
Old city localities of Srinagar was deserted by noon. Even uptown localities bustling with life closed swiftly. After the prayers, members of Srinagar Bar Association came out to demonstrate.
Shouting anti-national slogans, they made a round of Lal Chowk. Students of medical college wearing aprons came on the road shouting pro-freedom slogans.
In the immediate neighbourhood, police and paramilitary forces lathicharged a huge gathering.
The crowd had fetched JKLF leader Yasin Malik, who was under house arrest, from Maisuma before settling down for a dharna, shouting pro-freedom slogans.
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, under house arrest for many days, was not stopped when he left for Jamia Masjid to lead prayers. The cleric said, apart from boycotting assembly elections, people would be forced to undergo voluntary arrests if police did not stop ���harassing people.��� After prayers were over, the mob clashed with police.
One person died on the spot and 19 injured in the apple town of Shopian. Five were admitted to hospitals, where two were stated to be critical. Following the incident, the entire town came out on to the roads, flouting curfew restrictions.
Angry mobs resorted to brick bating and set afire a government building and a vehicle. This forced withdrawal of paramilitary forces and deployment of Army amid frequent announcements that curfew has been imposed. People were on roads till last reports came in.
Reports from Baramulla said police fired tear smoke shells towards a mob. One shell hit a labourer Manzoor Ahmad who died in the local hospital.
After many days of normalcy, the Kashmir Co-ordination Committee had asked people to stop activity by 12.30 pm and after prayers to attend ���peaceful protests.��� There were protests in several locations and the secessionists alleged that in most cases a pro-active police provoked the mobs.
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Old city localities of Srinagar was deserted by noon. Even uptown localities bustling with life closed swiftly. After the prayers, members of Srinagar Bar Association came out to demonstrate.
Shouting anti-national slogans, they made a round of Lal Chowk. Students of medical college wearing aprons came on the road shouting pro-freedom slogans.
In the immediate neighbourhood, police and paramilitary forces lathicharged a huge gathering.
The crowd had fetched JKLF leader Yasin Malik, who was under house arrest, from Maisuma before settling down for a dharna, shouting pro-freedom slogans.
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Many persons including Yasin Malik were injured. Malik was later driven to SMHS hospital. A huge procession from Hazrat Bal was stopped at Lal Bazaar by cops, firing teargas shells and lathicharging the mob.Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, under house arrest for many days, was not stopped when he left for Jamia Masjid to lead prayers. The cleric said, apart from boycotting assembly elections, people would be forced to undergo voluntary arrests if police did not stop ���harassing people.��� After prayers were over, the mob clashed with police.
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There were clashes between police and mobs in Nowhatta, Gojwara, Safa Kadal and Natipora, but nowhere did the police or CRPF fire.Download
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