Srinagar, Aug 27: Sporadic clashes marked Friday even as normal life resumed across the valley after two days owing to Hurriyat (G) shutdown call and restrictions imposed by the authorities.
At least 120 people were injured in the afternoon clashes at several places in North, South and Central Kashmir as personnel of CRPF, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and police used force to quell pro-freedom demonstrations.
At least 120 people were injured in the afternoon clashes at several places in North, South and Central Kashmir as personnel of CRPF, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and police used force to quell pro-freedom demonstrations.
Earlier in the morning life returned to normal in Srinagar and other major towns and districts of the valley. All shops, business establishments, private and government offices, petrol pumps and educational institutions resumed work. The markets, including city centre Lal Chowk, remained abuzz with business activities. Transport was also plying normally.
The government, semi-government and private banks witnessed huge rush of customers. People in long queues could also be seen waiting outside the ATMs.
SOUTH
In South Kashmir’s Shopian town at least 47 persons were injured, some of them sustaining pellet injuries, when CRPF troops and police fired teargas shells and opened fire upon the protesters.
Locals said people after offering Friday prayers at Shopian Jamia Masjid staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. They tried to take out a march through the streets of the town. When the protesters reached near Deputy Commissioner’s office, police and CRPF men who were deployed in strength in the area intercepted them. The protesters offered stiff resistance and tried to break the cordon. CRPF troops and police fired teargas canisters and resorted to canecharge to disperse the protesters.
Enraged protesters pelted stones on troops and police in retaliation. In the ensuing clashes at least 47 people were injured, three of them critically.
Two persons who had sustained pellet gun injuries were shifted to Srinagar for treatment. They have been identified as Zubair Ahmad Turray and Amir Khursheed.
According to eyewitnesses, forces opened random fire upon the protesters and dozens of people were injured in the police action.
They said there was a complete chaos in the area and the troops went on a beating spree. “Troops smashed the window panes of residential houses and parked vehicles,” locals alleged.
In Islamabad district, at least 13 people were injured in clashes immediately after Friday prayers.
Reports said hundreds of people took to streets after congregational prayers in Bijbehara area of the district and staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Raising pro-freedom slogans, the protesters also pelted stones on the troops who were present there in large numbers. CRPF and police resorted to cane charge and fired tear smoke canisters to disperse the protesters. At least six people suffered injuries in the clashes.
Six people were injured when CRPF men fired tear smoke canisters and cane charged protesters at Sher Bagh, Sarnal, Laizbal, Mattan, K P Road and other areas. Reports of peaceful protests were also received from Kakapora, Pampore, Khrew and other areas of Pulwama district.
NORTH
At least 20 people were injured some of them critically when clashes erupted at several places in north Kashmir’s Baramullah, Kupwara, and Bandipore districts. Locals alleged CRPF troops went berserk and barged into the residential houses in Kunzer Tangmarg.
Peaceful protests were carried out in Tregham, Kupwara, Bandipore, Goshbugh and other places after Friday prayers.
Twenty people were injured, including some women and children, were injured when CRPF troops went berserk and beat the civilians to pulp in Kunzer after people staged the pro-freedom rally in Main Chowk Kunzer.
Hundreds of people chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans staged a rally in the Main Chowk and demanded action against the troops involved in the civilian killing in the valley especially in the last two months.
To disperse the protesters troops fired dozens of tear gas canisters and resorted to baton charge. The protesters retaliated hurling bricks and stones at the cops.
In the midst of clashes dozens of troopers barged into the Sheikh Mohalla and beat upon the civilians including women and children besides smashing window panes of the houses.
Some of the critically injured are Shameema Bano, Noor Muhammad, Raja Begum,Shafiq Ahmad and Firdous Ahmad. The injured were shifted to Sun District Hospital Tangmarg.
As soon as the news spread about the highhandedness of troops in the area, hundreds of people including women and children marched towards main Chowk Kunzer and raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. They demanded the action against the troops. The clashes and protests were on till last reports came in.
Authorities clamped the curfew in Kupwara, Tregham, Kralpora, Handwara and restricted the congregational prayers in Jamia Mosque Tregham. Curfew was imposed early in the morning and people were asked not to come out of their homes. Residents of Tregham were forced to offer Friday congregational prayers at Mohalla Mosques where no Friday prayers are offered in normal days. However, people defied the curfew after the prayers and staged a peaceful pro-freedom rally in the area.
Peaceful protests also took place at Kralpora, Handwara, Kupwara town, Darzipora, Jamia Kadeem, Bumhama and other parts of Kupwara despite the curfew. In Goshbug, Pattan, thousands of people offered Friday prayers in Government Higher Secondary School Goshbugh and staged pro-freedom demonstrations later. People from adjacent villages reached the spot and participated in the Friday prayers. Peaceful protesters were also reported from Tangmarg, Bandipore, Ajas,Palhallan and from various other places of North Kashmir.
In Sopore, police and CRPF men fired dozens of tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters after they attempted to stage a pro-freedom rally in Main Chowk after Friday prayers. The protesting youth hurled bricks and stones towards the CRPF Bunker at Main Chowk amid anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
Reports said hundreds of people, mainly youth after offering Friday prayers assembled at Main Chowk, Arampora, Warpora, Hathi Shah, Model town, Chinkipora, Khushaal Matoo, Baba Yusuf and staged pro-freedom demonstrations.
Shouting pro-Independence slogans, the people were protesting the killing of 64 innocent civilians, including some boys by CRPF and police since June 11.
At the main chowk, CRPF and police fired teargas canisters and fired warning shots to break up the demonstrators. Clashes also broke out at Khawaja Bagh Baramullah where troops and police used force to disperse the protesters. Two people suffered minor injuries in the incident.
“CRPF and police went on rampage. They barged into our residential houses and thrashed the inmates ruthlessly. They did not even spare the women and small children,” Abdul Hameed, a local alleged.
CENTRE
In Srinagar, thousands of people led by Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik also led a protest demonstration in uptown Maisuma. At least 13 people were injured in clashes at Soura in the city outskirts and old city.
Reports said thousands of people after offering Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta took out a peaceful pro-freedom rally. The rally led by Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar passed through various areas of the old city before dispersing peacefully near Khanyar.
Later, groups of youth wearing masks appeared on the streets in the old city and engaged the troops and police in clashes. CRPF and police who had been deployed in strength an hour before the Friday prayers fired numerous tear smoke canisters at Gojwara, Hawal and Nowhatta to disperse the youth who were pelting stones from narrow lanes and by lanes of the areas. At least five people were injured in the clashes.
Clashes also broke out in Hyderpora area of the city minutes after a procession led by Geelani dispersed peacefully. At least five people were injured in the incident.
Earlier in the day, CRPF and police fired tear smoke shells and opened several rounds in air to disperse pro-freedom demonstrators in Soura.
At least 10 people, including a photojournalist Shome Basu was injured in the clashes between protesters and the forces. Clashes continued till Friday prayers and the entire area was tense. The vehicular movement was also hampered for more than three hours while most of the shops in the area remained closed.
In Ganderbal district, hundreds of people staged pro-freedom demonstrations in Tawheed chowk. The protesters were shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans to register their anger against the civilian killings. Peaceful pro-freedom demonstrations were also reported from Nagam, Chadoora, Mochou, main chowk and other areas.
POLICE VERSION
A police spokesman said that barring stray incidents of stone pelting at Jinab Sahib Soura and Nowhatta Chowk in Srinagar and near DC office Shopian, and Khaipora and Tangarmg of Baramulla district, situation remained peaceful. “Friday prayers were held peacefully in all the Masjids and Khankahs of the valley,” the spokesman added.
The government, semi-government and private banks witnessed huge rush of customers. People in long queues could also be seen waiting outside the ATMs.
SOUTH
In South Kashmir’s Shopian town at least 47 persons were injured, some of them sustaining pellet injuries, when CRPF troops and police fired teargas shells and opened fire upon the protesters.
Locals said people after offering Friday prayers at Shopian Jamia Masjid staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. They tried to take out a march through the streets of the town. When the protesters reached near Deputy Commissioner’s office, police and CRPF men who were deployed in strength in the area intercepted them. The protesters offered stiff resistance and tried to break the cordon. CRPF troops and police fired teargas canisters and resorted to canecharge to disperse the protesters.
Enraged protesters pelted stones on troops and police in retaliation. In the ensuing clashes at least 47 people were injured, three of them critically.
Two persons who had sustained pellet gun injuries were shifted to Srinagar for treatment. They have been identified as Zubair Ahmad Turray and Amir Khursheed.
According to eyewitnesses, forces opened random fire upon the protesters and dozens of people were injured in the police action.
They said there was a complete chaos in the area and the troops went on a beating spree. “Troops smashed the window panes of residential houses and parked vehicles,” locals alleged.
In Islamabad district, at least 13 people were injured in clashes immediately after Friday prayers.
Reports said hundreds of people took to streets after congregational prayers in Bijbehara area of the district and staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Raising pro-freedom slogans, the protesters also pelted stones on the troops who were present there in large numbers. CRPF and police resorted to cane charge and fired tear smoke canisters to disperse the protesters. At least six people suffered injuries in the clashes.
Six people were injured when CRPF men fired tear smoke canisters and cane charged protesters at Sher Bagh, Sarnal, Laizbal, Mattan, K P Road and other areas. Reports of peaceful protests were also received from Kakapora, Pampore, Khrew and other areas of Pulwama district.
NORTH
At least 20 people were injured some of them critically when clashes erupted at several places in north Kashmir’s Baramullah, Kupwara, and Bandipore districts. Locals alleged CRPF troops went berserk and barged into the residential houses in Kunzer Tangmarg.
Peaceful protests were carried out in Tregham, Kupwara, Bandipore, Goshbugh and other places after Friday prayers.
Twenty people were injured, including some women and children, were injured when CRPF troops went berserk and beat the civilians to pulp in Kunzer after people staged the pro-freedom rally in Main Chowk Kunzer.
Hundreds of people chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans staged a rally in the Main Chowk and demanded action against the troops involved in the civilian killing in the valley especially in the last two months.
To disperse the protesters troops fired dozens of tear gas canisters and resorted to baton charge. The protesters retaliated hurling bricks and stones at the cops.
In the midst of clashes dozens of troopers barged into the Sheikh Mohalla and beat upon the civilians including women and children besides smashing window panes of the houses.
Some of the critically injured are Shameema Bano, Noor Muhammad, Raja Begum,Shafiq Ahmad and Firdous Ahmad. The injured were shifted to Sun District Hospital Tangmarg.
As soon as the news spread about the highhandedness of troops in the area, hundreds of people including women and children marched towards main Chowk Kunzer and raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. They demanded the action against the troops. The clashes and protests were on till last reports came in.
Authorities clamped the curfew in Kupwara, Tregham, Kralpora, Handwara and restricted the congregational prayers in Jamia Mosque Tregham. Curfew was imposed early in the morning and people were asked not to come out of their homes. Residents of Tregham were forced to offer Friday congregational prayers at Mohalla Mosques where no Friday prayers are offered in normal days. However, people defied the curfew after the prayers and staged a peaceful pro-freedom rally in the area.
Peaceful protests also took place at Kralpora, Handwara, Kupwara town, Darzipora, Jamia Kadeem, Bumhama and other parts of Kupwara despite the curfew. In Goshbug, Pattan, thousands of people offered Friday prayers in Government Higher Secondary School Goshbugh and staged pro-freedom demonstrations later. People from adjacent villages reached the spot and participated in the Friday prayers. Peaceful protesters were also reported from Tangmarg, Bandipore, Ajas,Palhallan and from various other places of North Kashmir.
In Sopore, police and CRPF men fired dozens of tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters after they attempted to stage a pro-freedom rally in Main Chowk after Friday prayers. The protesting youth hurled bricks and stones towards the CRPF Bunker at Main Chowk amid anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
Reports said hundreds of people, mainly youth after offering Friday prayers assembled at Main Chowk, Arampora, Warpora, Hathi Shah, Model town, Chinkipora, Khushaal Matoo, Baba Yusuf and staged pro-freedom demonstrations.
Shouting pro-Independence slogans, the people were protesting the killing of 64 innocent civilians, including some boys by CRPF and police since June 11.
At the main chowk, CRPF and police fired teargas canisters and fired warning shots to break up the demonstrators. Clashes also broke out at Khawaja Bagh Baramullah where troops and police used force to disperse the protesters. Two people suffered minor injuries in the incident.
“CRPF and police went on rampage. They barged into our residential houses and thrashed the inmates ruthlessly. They did not even spare the women and small children,” Abdul Hameed, a local alleged.
CENTRE
In Srinagar, thousands of people led by Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik also led a protest demonstration in uptown Maisuma. At least 13 people were injured in clashes at Soura in the city outskirts and old city.
Reports said thousands of people after offering Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta took out a peaceful pro-freedom rally. The rally led by Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar passed through various areas of the old city before dispersing peacefully near Khanyar.
Later, groups of youth wearing masks appeared on the streets in the old city and engaged the troops and police in clashes. CRPF and police who had been deployed in strength an hour before the Friday prayers fired numerous tear smoke canisters at Gojwara, Hawal and Nowhatta to disperse the youth who were pelting stones from narrow lanes and by lanes of the areas. At least five people were injured in the clashes.
Clashes also broke out in Hyderpora area of the city minutes after a procession led by Geelani dispersed peacefully. At least five people were injured in the incident.
Earlier in the day, CRPF and police fired tear smoke shells and opened several rounds in air to disperse pro-freedom demonstrators in Soura.
At least 10 people, including a photojournalist Shome Basu was injured in the clashes between protesters and the forces. Clashes continued till Friday prayers and the entire area was tense. The vehicular movement was also hampered for more than three hours while most of the shops in the area remained closed.
In Ganderbal district, hundreds of people staged pro-freedom demonstrations in Tawheed chowk. The protesters were shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans to register their anger against the civilian killings. Peaceful pro-freedom demonstrations were also reported from Nagam, Chadoora, Mochou, main chowk and other areas.
POLICE VERSION
A police spokesman said that barring stray incidents of stone pelting at Jinab Sahib Soura and Nowhatta Chowk in Srinagar and near DC office Shopian, and Khaipora and Tangarmg of Baramulla district, situation remained peaceful. “Friday prayers were held peacefully in all the Masjids and Khankahs of the valley,” the spokesman added.
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