Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 21: Curfew that was imposed on Friday in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley as a precautionary measure after Gool, Ramban firing on protesters, was lifted today. However, restrictions were imposed in sensitive area of Kashmir valley to prevent any flare up in violence.
The normal life remained affected for third consecutive day today in response to the three-day general strike called by Hurriyat Conference (G) in protest against the killings and clashes erupted at several places across Kashmir in which over two dozen protesters and policemen were injured.
Shops and other business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads in Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir valley. In Srinagar, curfew-like restrictions were imposed in the jurisdictions of Police Stations of Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Safakadal, Khanyar, Nowhatta and Zadibal.
A police spokesman said here today that situation remained under control throughout Kashmir valley. “Some stone pelting incidents were reported from Papchan, Naidkhai, Gulshan Chowk in Bandipora, Khanpora in Baramulla, and couple of places in downtown and uptown in Srinagar. The deployments exercised maximum restraint. Eight police and CRPF men and 8 civilians were injured. All are stable”, the spokesman added.
The spokesman said that certain people are trying hard to vitiate the atmosphere by spreading rumours. “Rumours of a young boy being killed in Sumbal, were floated by certain fake identity holders on Facebook. Reportedly one person with Facebook identity as Syed Naseem had also updated about death of a youth in Safa Pora which was not true. He later removed this post. All these Facebook miscreants are being identified and action would be taken against them. In this regard a case FIR No. 57/2013 U/S 67 IT Act and 505 RPC has been registered in Police Station Kothibagh”, police spokesman added.
The spokesman said that IGP Kashmir Abdul Ghani Mir has appealed to all the people not to heed to the rumours. “News channels are requested to publish or broadcast news, after confirmation”, the spokesman added.
Stone pelting was reported from HMT, Noor Bagh, Nowshera, Habbakadal, Soura, Batamaloo, Tengpora, Goni Khan, Zakoora and Barzulla area of Srinagar. The protesters pelted stones at police and CRPF and clashed at these places with the security forces. Police and CRPF cane-charged the protesters, fired tear smoke shells and used pepper gas to disperse the protesters.
Protesters fought pitched battles with police in Barzulla this afternoon. Residents of old Barzulla alleged that CRPF personnel last evening damaged the windowpanes of the residential houses and beat up the inmates. They said that the personnel also damaged vehicles. Police used pepper gas in Barzullah to disperse the protestors.
At several places in the restriction bound areas of the old city, people tried to carry out protests at Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rajouri Kadal and Babademb, however, the security forces foiled the attempts.
In Central district of Budgam, reports of protests and clashes were received from Budgam town, Khan Sahib and Chadoora. However, police and CRPF brought the situation in these areas under control.
Protests rocked central Kashmir district of Ganderbal today morning following mischief inside a mosque by some unidentified persons.
Residents of Saloora and adjoining areas in Ganderbal took to the streets after word spread about the desecration of the Holy book.
Police immediately reached the spot and assured the people that the miscreants behind the mischief will be brought to book. A case has been registered and investigation has been started.
Police said that the initial investigations reveal that two drug addicts of the village are involved in the act. The protesters then dispersed peacefully.
Protests also broke out at Benhama Lar, Nunar, Dudarhama, Kangan market, Darend and Barusa areas of Ganderbal district. The protesters pelted stones at police and CRPF and police in return charged batons on the protesters and fired tear smoke to disperse them.
In North Kashmir district of Bandipora clashes between stone throwing protesters and police and CRPF continued for almost whole day.
In main town Bandipora, youths took to streets at main Chowk. The protesters attempted to take out processions at various places and they were cane-charged by police. But the protesters continued to pelt stones at police and the ding dong battles continued throughout the day. Police fired tearsmoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Clashes also broke out at Kaloosa and Watpora in Bandipora between protesters and the police during which police fired tearsmoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Clashes were also reported from Hajin and Sumbal areas of Bandipora between stone throwing protesters and police and para-military forces.
Protests and clashes broke out at Naidkahi, Papchan, Hajin and Asham during which police fired tearsmoke shells at stone throwing protesters.
At least 5 protesters were injured in Baramulla as protesters clashed with police and CRPF at several places in the district.
Protests also broke out in old town Baramulla, Khanpora Baramulla, Warpora Sopore, Main Chowk Sopore, Yunisu on Sopore-Kupwara highway. Protesters pelted stones on police and CRPF leading to ding dong battles.
At Khanpora bridge in Baramulla, police fired tearsmoke to disperse the stone throwing protesters. When they failed to control the protests, they fired rubber bullets and pellets during which 5 protesters were injured.
Two of the injured have been identified as Irfan Ahmad Sheikh of Baramulla. He received injury in his left elbow while. Another youth Danish Maqbool of Baramulla received pellet injury in his skull and was shifted to SKIMS Soura Srinagar for treatment.
In the meantime, police sources said that 11 people including Sarpanch of village Palhalan was arrested on charges of stone pelting.
Sarpanch Mohammad Akbar Bhat, son Abdul Jabbar resident of Bhat Mohalla was spotted indulging in stone-pelting in Palhalan area during protests. Police immediately swung into action and arrested the Sarpanch.
A case (FIR number184/2013) has been registered against the Sarpanch. However, his family alleged that the Sarpanch has been implicated in a false case.
The arrests was followed by stone pelting in the area during which police use tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Sectarian clashes were reported from several villages in Central Kashmir district of Budgam. The people from two sects clashed at Sebdan, Bemina, Nasraullahpora and Hakermolla areas of the district.
Authorities have deployed police and para-military CRPF in strength in these villages to prevent any further flare up. Several vehicles and houses were damaged in the clashes.
A spokesman of State Board of School Education today said that the examinations scheduled for tomorrow, 22 July (Monday) in the Valley, have been postponed.
In the meantime, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani today asked the people to observe, Sanctity Day for Holy Quran on Monday. He appealed religious scholars and Imams of Masjids to offer congregational Fateh Khawni after prayers for those who were killed in Gool, Ramban.
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