Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 13: Stone-throwing clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in parts of downtown and HMT area of city this afternoon against killing of an Engineering student last week.
Dozens of youth assembled outside Jama Masjid here in Nowhatta area of downtown and staged protests against the killing of Gowhar Nazir Dar, an engineering student, who was killed last week during clashes at HMT area.
The protesters were holding flags of Islamic State (IS) and other flags and displayed pictures of militant commander Burhan Muzzafar Wani. The protesters marched towards Nowhatta Police Station and pelted stones on security forces. However, the security forces exercised restraint and fired only few teargas canisters in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators.
Later, the protesters marched towards Saraf Kadal, which is only few meters away from Nowhatta, and hurled stones and bricks on police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Police fired dozens of teargas shells and pepper grenades towards the stone-throwers and violent clashes ensued in the area for several hours. Police detained an alleged stone-thrower during the clashes. The clashes later spread to Rajouri Kadal and Kawdara.
Violent clashes between protesters and security forces also broke out at HMT area of city outskirts after Friday prayers. Soon after Friday prayers, locals staged a protest against the student’s killing and demanded removal of CRPF camp from the HMT Watch Factory premises. The witnesses said that protesters later pelted stones on security forces, triggering clashes between the two sides, which continued till late evening.
Meanwhile, police today allowed moderate separatist and Hurriyat chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to deliver weekly sermon at Jama Masjid here while hardline separatist, Syed Ali Shah Geelani continues to remain under house arrest.
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