Over 3 dozen injured in clashes across Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 19: At least three dozen protesters and security men were injured as protests broke out at several places across Kashmir with authorities foiling a protest march to Budgam village and detained separatist leaders.
Authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and other major towns for 42nd day today to prevent separatist march to Aripanthan in district Budgam where 4 persons were killed in security forces firing early this week.
Police said that curfew was imposed in Srinagar, Baramulla, Kaloosa in Bandipora and in the towns of Anantnag, Shopian and Pampore today. “The restrictions under Section 144/CrPC remained in force in Kashmir valley today”, the statement issued by police said.
Police detained Hurriyat Conference chairmen, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani outside their residences at Nageen and Hyderpora when they tried to carry out a protest march to Aripanthan.
Police and CRPF were patrolling the streets in Srinagar and had closed the main roads with concertina wire and erected blockades to prevent movement of the people and vehicles.
The authorities today disallowed Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid for the sixth consecutive Friday. The last Friday prayers were offered in Jamia Masjid on July 8.
Since then, security forces have closed the Masjid entrances in Nowhatta area of Old Srinagar with concertina wires.
In other major towns, Army was assisting the police and CRPF to dominate the roads and vulnerable areas.
Clashes erupted in Palhallan and Pattan areas of Baramulla district after Friday prayers. Security forces fired pellets and teargas on protester rally injuring dozens of protesters. Six injured were shifted to SDH Pattan where from two were referred to SMHS hospital Srinagar. The CRPF ASI, Rakesh Kumar Sharma and 4 cops were also injured in clashes.
Two youths were injured when forces fired teargas and pellets on protesters in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district this evening. One of the injured was hit by pellet and another by tear gasshell. The pellet hit was identified as Yawar Ahmad and was shifted to SMHS while the other injured was shifted to SKIMS Soura.
One protester was hit by bullet when security forces opened fire in Pulwama’s Samboora area today. He has been identified him as Adil Ahmad. He was rushed to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for treatment.
Another youth protester Ishfaq Ahmad Yatoo son of Abdul Salam Yatoo of Patil Bagh Pampore in South Kashmir was injured as security forces foiled a protest march at Kakapora.
According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, 21 incidents of stone pelting were reported after Friday prayers from Sopore, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Handwara, Bandipora and Pulwama.
Last evening, militants hurled a grenade towards the residential house of ex-MLA Shopian, Sheikh Mohammad Rafi at village Kachdoora, Shopian which exploded without causing any damage. A case stands registered in police station Shopian and investigation taken up.
Mobile phone and internet services continue to be blocked, while only BSNL postpaid and broadband services working in the Valley where strict curfew and restrictions continued for 42nd day today.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained disrupted for 42nd day today and major roads remained shut due to blockades by protesters. Major district roads also remained shut due to blockades erected by protesters.
Sixty seven people including two cops were killed in the protests during last 41 days and over 7000 people including security men have been injured.

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