Clashes in Old City, Sopore

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 22:  Stone-throwing clashes erupted in parts of Old City here and in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district after Friday congregation prayers.
Scores of youth assembled outside historic Jama Masjid here in Nowhatta area of Old City and staged a protest.
The protesters later marched towards Nowhatta police station and pelted stones on security forces including police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), ensuing clashes between the two sides.
The police fired dozens of teargas shells and pepper gas canisters towards stone-throwing youths. However they, the youth, continued pelting stones on the forces. The clashes later spread to Gojwara and Hawal localities of the Old City.
The rock-throwing clashes meanwhile also erupted in Sopore town in north Kashmir. Witnesses said groups of youth in Sopore Main Chowk pelted stones on 179 Battalion CRPF bunker after Friday prayers after which clashes ensued. The situation, however, returned to normal within an hour.