Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 29: Over 130 people including 50 police and security forces personnel were injured in massive clashes that broke out across Kashmir amid strict curfew in Srinagar city and other major towns of the Valley as police and security forces foiled separatist march to Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid.
Separatists had asked people to march towards Jamia Masjid in old city’s Nowhatta area today but authorities imposed strict curfew in Srinagar city and major towns of Kashmir valley.
Police detained separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Omar Farooq as they tried to take out protest marches towards Jamia Masjid from their residences in Hyderpora and Nageen respectively. Police was already present in strength outside their residences and they were taken to Police Station Humhama and Nageen respectively.
Since early morning, thousands of police and CRPF personnel were deployed all across Srinagar and all roads leading to Jamia Masjid were sealed with concertina wire.
Due to strict curfew, the Friday prayers couldn’t be offered at Jamia Masjid for the third consecutive week. The security forces didn’t allow people to venture out of their homes.
Amid curfew and restrictions, protests and clashes broke out at several places in Srinagar after Friday prayers. A large procession of youth, men and women marched towards United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) office here at Sonwar from Dalgate. As soon as the protesters reached near the gate of UNMOGIP, the police resorted to baton charge and teargas shelling.
The protesters pelted stones at police and CRPF and clashes continued for over an hour. The protesters took position on Shankar Acharya hills overlooking UNMOGIP office and pelted stones at Police.
The clashes between police, security forces and protesters also erupted at Batamaloo, Chanapora, Nowpora, Bemina and HMT while peaceful protests were also held at scores of places across Srinagar city.
At Safa Kadal in old city Srinagar, SHO Safa Kadal and Chowki Officer Noorbagh had a narrow escape when a mob of over 250 attacked them tonight. Police fired in air and managed to rescue them but both of them were injured. Several protesters were also injured.
In North Kashmir, around 33 police and CRPF men and 50 protesters were injured in clashes today that broke out at dozens of places.
In Kupwara, three persons were injured when Army opened fire on protesters at Gushi village. The injured have been identified as Irshad Bhat, Faisal Sofi and Shahid Nazir Parray. Irshad and Faisal are stated to be critical while Shahid’s condition is stable. Four other persons also sustained injuries during clashes in Gushi village during protests.
At Kralpora in Kupwara, protesters pelted stones at police station and police fired teargas. The clashes continued for over an hour and police managed to disperse them.
Large number of people also held peaceful protests at Trehgam, Batargam, Kunanpos-hpora, Muqam Shah Wali, Nutnusa, Redbogh and other areas of Kupwara district. The protests also broke out at Handwara in district Kupwara.
In Baramulla, the clashes broke out at Sheeri, Sopore, Sangrama, Old Town and Palhallan. Police fired tearsmoke shells to disperse the protesters and at least half a dozen protesters were injured in the clashes. At Mazbugh, Sopore, at least nine persons were injured as security forces thrashed them. Two of them have been admitted to Baramulla hospital for treatment.
Two police officers were among nine policemen injured at Hajin in Bandipora district of North Kashmir during clashes while 20 protesters were also injured, some of them received pellets. The injured include DySP operations Bandipora and SDPO Sumbal. At Sumbal in Band-ipora town and its adjoining areas, people protested after Friday prayers.
Massive protests also broke out at Kurhama in Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal today after security forces thrashed a group of protesters in the morning. People from adjoining villages came out on roads after news of thrashing of protesters broke out.
The protests and clashes erupted in South Kashmir today. Two cops were injured at Chawalgam in Kulgam district when unidentified persons hurled a petrol bomb towards them.
At Shopian, protesters set ablaze a Forest hut and office of Animal Husbandry Department. At Imam Sahib Shopian, 4 persons were injured as police fired from pump action gun during the protests. Three of the injured have been shifted to Srinagar as they have received pellet injuries in the eyes.
At Keegam Shopian, large number of protesters marched towards Haal CRPF camp in Pulwama district and targeted the camp with stones. The clashes continued for hours and CRPF and police fired dozens of tear gas shells to disperse them. They also fired in which one Shahid Ahmad of Dumbwani Shopian was injured. He received gun shot wound in abdomen and was operated at SDH Pulwama.
In Kakapora area of Pulwama, protesters attempted to set ablaze Railway Station but the attempt was foiled by the CRPF. One person was injured in firing at Kakapora and he was identified as Jan Mohammad Bhat.
Around 40 persons were injured in clashes at Tahab in Pulwama with four of them having pellet injuries as clashes continued in the area throughout the day.
At protest march carried out from village Samboora in Pulwama attacked Kakapora Police Station this afternoon. Police fired tearsmoke shells and fired at the protesters during which one Arif Ahmad received bullet injury. Protesters also targeted Dallav and Malangpora Pulwama CRPF camps. The clashes continued for hours. In Tral Pulwama, stone pelting protests and clashes were reported.
Reports of protests also reached here from Kokernag, Verinag and at several places in Anantnag district.
A police spokesman said here: “The situation throughout Kashmir remained under control although there were about 70 incidents of stone pelting across the valley. The miscreants attacked a number of police and security establishments and camps.
“Militants lobbed a grenade on the police and CRPF personnel deployed for law and order duty at Shopian. Grenade was later defused by the BD squad. At Rohama, Rafiabad, a Government building was set on fire. The deployments exercised maximum restraint inspite of such serious provocations”, the spokesman said.
“During these law and order situations, 8 persons, 46 police and security forces personnel were injured. As a precautionary measure curfew/restrictions were put in place in the sensitive towns and areas to maintain law and order”, the spokesman said.
The spokesman further said that miscreants had placed obstructions on Beerwa road near Hardapanzu in district Budgam to stop movement of traffic this evening. “A motors cyclist identified as Ab. Ahad Ganie resident of Kunuru rammed into the obstruction .He and his son Kamran got injured. The said motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries”, the spokesman said.
The Valley observed shutdown, protests and curfew for 21st day today. Schools and colleges, despite summer vacation having ended, remained closed as no students and hardly any teachers turned up. Thin attendance in the Government offices was negligible in Srinagar city and other parts of Kashmir valley.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remai-ned disrupted for 21sh day today and major roads and highways also remained shut.
The shops, business establishments and most of the banks remained shut with only some shops selling essentials opened in the early morning and late evening and people were seen busy in buying essentials.
The prepaid cell phone services and mobile internet continued to remain blocked across Valley and only BSNL broad band internet services are functional.
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