Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 31: At least 25 persons were injured in clashes in Pulwama area even as life remained paralysed in Kashmir for 116th day today due to shutdown called for separatists.
Security force personnel were deployed in five police station areas of Srinagar’s Old City – MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Rainawari and Khanyar – since early morning. However, civilian movement was allowed in these areas.
In Civil Line and uptown areas of the Srinagar, extra-ordinary movement of private transport and pedestrians was once again seen since early morning but shops, commercial establishments and educational institutes were closed. However, vendors had set up their stalls at Batamaloo, Lal Chowk, Dalgate, Sonwar, Jehangir Chowk, Exhibition Crossing and Jawahar Nagar. The security forces were deployed at these places to prevent miscreants from targeting them.
Despite shutdown, traffic jam were witnessed at several areas of city including Budshah Chowk, Batamaloo, Bemina and Jahangir Chowk. A group of masked youth appeared at Maharaja Bazaar in Srinagar and pelted stones at street vendors for defying shutdown. Later, additional personnel of security forces were deployed in the area.
In Rohmoo area of Pulwama, clashes erupted today between protesters and security forces. Local said Army conducted searches in Malwani village of Rohmoo this morning.
Locals pelted stones on Army and police, SOG and CRPF was called to assist army. Clashes erupted in the area, and additional forces were called in and police fired teargas to disperse the protesters.
Security forces also resorted to aerial firing. Amid clashes, protesters attacked an Army camp. At least 25 persons including several women were injured in the clashes as police fired pellets and teargas. Eight protesters were shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar. They included two girls with pellet injuries on their face and eyes.
A police spokesman said: “Security forces cordoned of Rohnoo village in Pulwama this morning. Some miscreants assembled and pelted stones on the forces. Later, a huge mob assembled and pelted stones on the security forces camp. The reinforcement was sent to the spot. In this incident some persons, police / CRPF personnel including three officers were injured. Most of the injured were discharged after first aid.”
At Sopore in Baramulla district, a petrol bomb was hurled towards street vendors. At Watroosa in Anantnag, a migrant house was gutted mysteriously while house of an SPO was set ablaze at Verinag. In Parimpora Srinagar, a Horticulture building was gutted in a mysterious fire.
A police spokesman said: “The situation across the Valley remained largely peaceful and under control today. Vehicles in huge numbers were seen plying on the roads of the city as well as on the roads connecting different towns and villages of the Valley. People in large numbers were busy in their shopping from the shops and vendors in the markets of Valley.”
He said: “In Sopore some miscreants hurled a petrol bomb near Sub District Hospital Sopore. Police has taken cognizance of the incident and started manhunt for the miscreant involved in it. Police continued with adequate deployment at vulnerable points in Srinagar city, as also in main towns and the roads, lanes and by-lanes connecting different places.”
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