Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 9: Curfew like restrictions imposed in parts of Kashmir and shutdown in rest of the Valley paralysed life here for 63rd day today during which clashes broke out at several places between security forces and protesters leaving 200 injured.
Authorities today imposed curfew-like restrictions in Old City, Maisuma, Habba Kadal and Lal Chowk as well as in other towns of South and North Kashmir.
Thousands of security forces personnel were deployed in Srinagar since early morning. They erected barricades and laid barbed wire to block the main roads so as to prevent movement of people and vehicles.
Authorities for the 9th consecutive week disallowed Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of downtown Srinagar. The security force personnel deployed at Nowhatta and in adjoining areas didn’t allow people to enter the Masjid.
Protests and violent clashes were reported from several areas of Srinagar and its outskirts after Friday prayers. Hundreds of people took out a rally from Dargah Hazratbal shrine after Friday prayers but police swung into action and fired teargas to disperse them. The protesters retaliated by pelting stones, resulting in clashes.
The clashes also erupted at Anchar area of Soura in Srinagar where seven protesters were injured. Locals took to streets in the area and pelted stones at security forces who fired teargas to disperse them.
The clashes also erupted in Shaheed Gunj area of Srinagar while evening clashes occurred at Safa Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Bhori Kadal and Nawab Bazar.
The Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal and Budgam districts also witnessed post-Friday protests. In Ganderbal, protesters threw stones at police and CRPF at Beehama, Manigam, Safapora, Preng and Batwina areas.
In Budgam, clashes erupted at Ompora, Magam and Mirgund areas between security forces and protesters.
Clashes between protesters and security forces erupted at Tahab, Tral, Kakpora, Newa and Lethapora areas of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. At Kakpora, protesters attacked local police post with stones, resulting in clashes that continued for over two hours and during which police fired teargas and pellets.
Several people sustained injuries during clashes while a trucker hailing from Kathua was hit by a stone at Lethpora.
The stone-throwing clashes between police and protesters also erupted at Shopian district after Friday congregational prayers. the clashes erupted at Vihil and near Hospital in Main Town.
In Kulgam district, clashes took place in Main Town and in Qoimoh areas. Police lobbed teargas at protesters to disperse them.
The North Kashmir districts also witnessed massive protests and clashes after Friday prayers. The clashes between forces and protesters erupted at Azad Gunj in Old Town Baramulla and in Sheeri. Police fired teargas at the protesters and the clashes continued for several hours. At Rafiabad, the protesters attacked SDPO office with stones while clashes also erupted at Kalsari in Nihalpora and Palhalan village of Pattan in the district. At least 15 police men and 25 protesters were injured in these clashes out of which 3 were admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Protests and clashes also erupted at Sopore area of Baramulla district. Protests were held after Friday prayers outside Jamia Masjid Sopore while clashes erupted in Warpora, Main Chowk Sopore, Batapora, Arampora, Cheighama and Potkah. The protesters pelted stones on Sopore Police Station. Police fired teargas to disperse them. At least 12 police men and 35 protesters were injured in the clashes out of which 7 were admitted to the hospital.
The clashes were also reported from Bandipora and Kupwara districts. Clashes erupted at Kaloosa, Wanigam, Papchan, Hajin, Sumbal and in Main Town of Bandipora between protesters and forces. The forces responded by lobbing teargas and pepper shells. At least 8 protesters were injured in these clashes.
In Kupwara, massive clashes erupted at Trehgam, Main town, Helmathpora, Lalpora, Chairkote, Aloosa and at Hatmulla. At least 5 police men and 22 protesters were injured in these clashes and 4 were admitted to the hospital.
In Handwara, massive clashes erupted at Langate, Magam and Kralgund during which security forces fired tear smoke to disperse the protesters. At least 14 police men and 19 protesters were injured in these clashes.
According to a police spokesman, the situation in Valley remained under control on Friday. “However, there were stone-pelting incidents and protest rallies at few places,” he said.
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