Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Mar 29: At least 18 persons were injured today in clashes between protesters and security forces in parts of Srinagar and North Kashmir after Friday prayers.
A police spokesman said that soon after Friday prayers Mirwaiz Omar Farooq led a protest march from Jamia Masjid to Mirwaiz Manzil. Demanding return of mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru who was hanged last month and that of JKLF leader, Maqbool Bhat, hundreds of people participated in the protest march.
Police said that as soon as Mirwaiz left, protesters pelted stones on police and para-military Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in which two protesters were injured. “They have been hospitalised”, police added.
Reports said that several youth appeared in Kawdara, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Bohri Kadal and Saraf Kadal areas of Srinagar after Friday prayers. They pelted stones on police and CRPF and in retaliation Police fired tear smoke shells to disperse them. In the ding dong battles, several protesters were injured.
The police spokesman said that situation remained normal across the Valley. “However, stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from Rajouri Kadal, Srinagar and Naidkhai in Bandipora and Baramulla”, he added.
Protests were reported from Hajan, Safapora and Bandipora towns of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. However, protesters dispersed peacefully.
Reports said that at least 10 persons were injured in clashes between police and CRPF in Naidkhai area of Bandipora district soon after Friday prayers. Protesters pelted stones on police and CRPF and in return they fired tear smoke shells and charged batons on the protesters. The ding dong battles continued for over an hour during which 10 persons were injured and 4 of them have been hospitalised.
In North Kashmir’s Baramulla town that saw worst clashes since Guru’s execution, police and CRPF was deployed heavily in the sensitive areas of the township. The bridges leading to old town Baramulla were sealed by the security forces to prevent any clashes. At Cement bridge, protesters pelted stones on police and CRPF leading to clashes. Police fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
There were reports of peaceful protest demonstrations from Budgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Ganderbal districts of Kashmir valley soon after Friday prayers. However, the protesters dispersed peacefully.
Earlier during his maiden address in Jamia Masjid after two months, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today warned Government against what he said repressive policies. He said instead of breaking the will of the people, it will strengthen their resolve.
Mirwaiz said clamping curfews, lodging Hurriyat Conference leaders and youth in jails and lock-ups, placing people under house arrests and executing Kashmiris will not deter people.
Mirwaiz condemned the use of force against the people who were demanding return of Guru’s body. He said that Guru didn’t get fair trial.
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