Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 24: Protests today clashed with police at several places across Kashmir after the Friday prayers against the slapping of Public Safety Act (PSA) against Hurriyat Conference leader, Masrat Alam Bhat.
Reports said soon after the Friday prayers and after the address of a separatist leader, Nayeem Khan at Narbal in Srinagar outskirts, youths pelted stones at police and CRPF and blocked the Srinagar-Gulmarg road.
Police and CRPF which was deployed in strength at Narbal since death of one of the youth, Suhail Ahmad Sufi, in police firing last week. Police fired smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Police and CRPF managed to clear the Srinagar-Gulmarg road by chasing away the protesters. Around six protesters and cops were injured in clashes.
A complete strike was observed in Narbal since morning against the killing of Suhail Ahmad Sufi. Schools, Government and Semi Government offices remained closed.
The traffic movement was again adversely affected in the Srinagar-Gulmarg road. The tourists going to Gulmarg had to wait hours when the situation was tense at Narbal.
Reports said that post Friday clashes also erupted at Tral township of South Kashmir, when a large number of people took to streets against the detention of Masrat Alam.
Police fired smoke shells to disperse the angry protesters. The clashes continued for hours.
Stone-pelting incidents were also reported from Sopore township of North Kashmir. Youths pelted stones at Police and clashes continued for several hours.
Reports said that soon after Friday prayers scores of people protested in different parts of Srinagar city including Habakadal, Hyderpora, Amira Kadal against the detention of Masrat Alam Bhat.
A Peaceful protest was also held at Amira Kadal and Hyderpora after Friday prayers. Youth pelted stones on police and CRPF personnel at Gojwara and Nowhatta.
In North Kashmir’s Anantnag town, protest was held at Sherbagh while in Pulwama a large number of people staged a peaceful protest against the detention of Masrat Alam.
Authorities placed separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Zafar Akbar Bhat, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai and others under house arrest ahead of their planned protests after Friday prayers.
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