Excelsior Correspondent
-Excelsior/Younis Khaliq
SRINAGAR, Sept 4: Protesters today torched Mini-Secretariat in South Kashmir’s Shopian district after violent clashes in which 70 protesters were injured forcing authorities to impose curfew while in Tral area of Pulwama district a mob attacked MLA’s house.
Protesters in Shopian town of South Kashmir torched Mini Secretariat this morning forcing authorities to impose curfew to prevent flare up in protests. The first block of the Mini-Secretariat housing the office of Deputy Commissioner was destroyed and fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flames. The Mini Secretariat was constructed at a cost of Rs 36 crore and was inaugurated last year.
Earlier, violent protests broke out in Pinjoora area of Shopian district after security forces foiled a protest rally. Thousands of people attended the rally and police raided the venue of the rally.
This led to clashes and security forces fired tear smoke and pellets to disperse the protesters in which 70 were injured. Seven of the injured civilians have been shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
The mob went violent and marched towards the Mini-Secretariat and torched it. More security force personnel were rushed and curfew was imposed in the township to prevent further flare up.
Meanwhile, life remained paralysed for 58th consecutive day today across Kashmir due to curfew, restrictions and shutdown.
The curfew and restrictions were imposed today to thwart protests on the occasion of visit of the All Party Delegation to Srinagar.
Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces in Gadood Bagh area of Habba Kadal during which security forces used tear gas to disperse the mob. The protests erupted after locals alleged that security forces ransacked the residential houses in the area. Two protesters were also arrested from the area.
Protests also broke out at Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar this afternoon. Clashes and protests were reported from several areas of Srinagar and security forces fired teargas to disperse the protesters. At least six persons including a 6 year old boy and two women were injured after security forces fired tearsmoke shells to foil the congregation in Dana Mazar area of Safa Kadal.
Two photo-journalists were injured after forces fired pellets on a procession in old city area of Srinagar. The photo-journalists who sustained injuries were identified as Zuhaib Maqbool Hamzah and Muzamil Rashid.
These photo-journalists were covering a protest at Nadiyar area of Rainawari this evening when security forces fired pellets at the mob. The duo were immediately rushed to SMHS hospital by their colleagues.
Clashes also erupted between protesters and security forces at Aripanthan village in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Hundreds of people assembled in the area, where four civilians were killed last month.
Security forces fired tear smoke and pellets to disperse the protesters who were throwing stones on them. Dozens of protests were injured and two of them were shifted to Srinagar for treatment. Clashes also erupted between protesters and security forces in Beerwah town.
Protesters attacked the house of PDP MLA Mushtaq Ahmad Shah in Tral area of South Kashmir with stones.
Protesters from different villages of Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district defied the curfew to move towards Eidgah in the town. However, the security forces deployed in strength didn’t allow them to move ahead and fired tear-gas to disperse them, triggering clashes.
Amid the clashes, mob hurled stones at the house of People’s Democratic Party MLA Tral Mushtaq Ahmed Shah, located in Tral-e-Bala locality.
As the security forces foiled the protest rally, the protesters took refuge in Khanqah Faiz Panah Tral. Security forces fired tearsmoke inside the compound.
Clashes also erupted at Vessu village of South Kashmir’s Qazigund town where a 20 year old youth was killed by forces on Saturday late evening during clashes.
Clashes were also reported from Fatehpora area of Anantnag district. Security forces had raided the venue early today and resorted to teargassing in which dozens were injured.
One among the injured was hit by bullet and was shifted to Anantnag district hospital.
At least eight protesters were arrested after security forces raided the venue of a protest rally in Drubgam village of Pulwama. Following the arrest and raid, clashes erupted in the area during which scores of people were injured.
Thousands of people attended a protest rally in Kunan village of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Protesters from Trehgam, Kupwara, Poshpora and other adjacent areas marched towards the venue and participated in the rally.
A protest rally was organized in a village in Kreeri belt of North Kashmir in which thousands of people participated. Roads leading to Nowpora-Jageer in Kreeri belt have been blocked by people with wires, huge logs and electricity poles.
Clashes erupted in Papchan area of Bandipora. Protesters hurled stones at security forces who responded with teargas.
According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, 10 incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Awantipora and Sopore. At these places, mobs assembled on the roads and attempted to disturb the normal traffic and movement of people by pelting stones on vehicles and later on at police and security force deployments.
“There was no curfew in the Valley except some areas of Srinagar falling under the police stations of Khanyar, Safakadal, Nowhatta, Rainawari and M. R Gunj”, the statement said.
“In Shopian, a mob attacked and set ablaze Mini-Secretariat Shopian. The fire was brought under control, however, the structure suffered partial damage”, the statement said.
“In Tral, a huge mob pelted stones on the police and security forces. Some of the miscreants when chased away entered in a Ziyarat and again started pelting stones from the compound of the Ziyarat. Police is cautiously handling the situation”, the statement said.
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