Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 21: A Personal Security Officer (PSO) of the Minister for Science and Technology, Sajjad Lone, had close shave this evening when he was thrashed by a group of protesters in Old city here and his motor cycle was torched.
Elsewhere, curfew and restrictions in parts of Kashmir and shutdown paralysed life in the Valley for 75th day today and police arrested 43 people on charges of creating trouble. Clashes and protests were reported in several parts of Kashmir during the day. And noted Human Right activist Khurram Pervaiz, who was arrested on September 15, was today booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).
Shabir Ahmad, the PSO of Sajjad Lone who was on way to old city this evening was stopped by a group of protesters at Nawab Bazar bridge. The protesters were frisking people and checking their identity cards and when they found a police card in his possession, he was thrashed but he managed to escape. His, motor cycle was, however, torched. He was rescued by police.
This is the second time since last evening that motor cycle of policeman has been torched. Last evening, a cop was thrashed in Batamallo area of Srinagar and his motor cycle was torched.
Curfew remained in force in parts of Srinagar today with Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) patrolling the streets and had blocked the main roads with concertina wire and stationed mobile bunkers at various places in these areas to prevent violence. However, in rest of the Valley there was no curfew but there were restrictions at many places.
The shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed and traffic was off the roads. However, some private vehicles were plying in Civil lines area of Srinagar. The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained suspended since July 9. The mobile internet and pre-paid mobile services also remained suspended.
Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces in Shangran village of Dooru area in Anantnag district today. Police and security forces fired tear smoke to foil a protest rally at Shangran village. Several protesters were injured and clashes continued for several hours.
Clashes were also reported from Zainapora area of Shopian during which security forces fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.
In Bandipora area of North Kashmir, authorities slapped PSA on seven persons and they were shifted to Kot Bolwal jail in Jammu. They have been identified as Muhammad Mubarak Koul, son of Ghulam Muhammad Koul, resident of Baharabad, Tehsil Hajin, Tariq Ahmad Lone, son of Abdul Majid Lone, resident of Vijipara, Tajamul Rasool Mir, son of Ghulam Rasool Mir, resident of Sadarkoot Bala, Muhammad Ayoub Mir, son of Ali Muhammad Mir, resident of Mir Mohalla Hajin, Bilal Ahmad Dar, son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar, resident of Sadarkoot Bala, Gulzar Ahmad Rather, son of Muhammad Ramzan Rather, resident of Khumina and Imtiyaz Ahmad Malik, son of Abdul Sattar Malik, resident of Panzinara.
According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, there was no curfew in the Valley except under the areas of three police stations in Srinagar.
“Police arrested 43 individuals found involved in stopping/disrupting the traffic, damaging vehicles, public property and creating disruption in opening of shops,” the statement said.
It said a couple of stone pelting incidents were reported from Zainapora in Shopian and Shangran, Dooru in Anantnag where miscreants in their attempts to disturb the situation assembled and pelted stones on police and security force deployments.
“Barring these incidents, the overall situation remained under control across the Valley. Greater movement of people and vehicular traffic was observed across the Valley including in the Srinagar city,” the statement said.
In the meantime, separatists called for protests and shutdowns till September 29.
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