Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 25: A shutdown was observed in South Kashmir’s Pulwama town amid stone-throwing clashes against arrest of a shopkeeper during night hours. Security forces arrested 12 persons on stone pelting charges during which 15 persons were injured.
A police official said the arrested shopkeeper, Bilal Ahmad Mir, is a stone-pelter and was held on charges of stone-throwing in the town. A local said that since morning, all the shops and commercial establishments were closed in the Main Town of the Pulwama while traffic was also minimal.
Since morning hours, protesters came out of their houses and pelted stones on security forces in the town. The clashes continued throughout the day and security men lobbed dozens of teargas shells to disperse the rock-hurlers. The protesters were seeking release of the arrested shopkeeper.
Eight security forces personnel were among 15 persons who were injured in these clashes.
Police later detained 12 persons on charges of stone pelting during the clashes in Pulwama. They have been identified as Tasir Bashir, 16, son of Bashir Ahmad Mohand, Ubair Shreef, 18, son of Shreef Ahmad Bhat of Trishal, Suhail Rashid, 18, son of Abdul Rashid Bhat of Muran, Asif Mushtaq, 16, son of Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie of Kalmpora Shadimurg, Faizan Zakir Mutoo, 16, son of Zakir Hussan of Muran, Saqib Maqbool, 15, son of Mohammad Maqbool Lone of Ratinpora, Rahi Adil, 17, son of Mohammad Yousaf Ganie of Ratinpora, Azad Ahmad Dar, 40, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar of Rehmoo, Shahir Yaqoob, 15, son of Mohammad Yaqoob Wagey of Putrigam , Sajad Nazir, 18, son of Nazir Ahmad Yatoo of Dadoora, Asif Ahmad Sofi, 14, son of Mehrajuddin Sofi of Wayan Pampora and Farooq Ahmad Bhat, 23, son of Mohammad Anwar Bhat of Danger Pora Washbugh.