PDP leader’s car, bank, school torched in Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 28: Car of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, a bank and school were torched today even as authorities foiled Jamia Masjid march of separatists by imposing curfew in Old City in Srinagar.
Unknown persons this evening torched car of Umar Kumar, a PDP youth leader in Chinkral Mohalla Habba Kadal area of Old City. The white colour Ford Figo of Kumar bearing registration number JK01V 1502 was torched at Chinkral Mohalla.
Unknown persons torched Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch Mattan Chowk this evening. The Bank was damaged in the fire but Fire and Emergency Service men and machinery reached the spot and doused the flames.
A private school, Iqra Public School was also torched at Batgund in Dooru area of Anantnag today. The school was damaged in the fire.
In the meantime, authorities today foiled protest march of separatists by imposing curfew in Old City. Separatists had asked people to march towards Jamia Masjid in old city’s Nowhatta area but authorities imposed strict curfew in entire downtown areas falling under five police station areas.
Since morning, hundreds of police and CRPF personnel were deployed in old city Srinagar and all roads leading to Jamia Masjid were sealed with concertina wire. Due to strict curfew, the Friday prayers couldn’t be offered at Jamia Masjid.
In areas like Habba Kadal, Kani Kadal, Gaw Kadal and Maisuma, restrictions were imposed on the movement of people. The other areas of city were also under thick security blanket.
Amid strict restrictions, protests and clashes broke out at several places in Valley including in Srinagar after Friday prayers. Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces at Rawalpora, Zainakote, Sabzi Mandi Soura and Pamposh Colony Noorbagh areas of Srinagar.
Police fired teargas and used pellets to disperse the protesters. These areas rattled with explosion of teargas shells. The clashes were also reported from many Old City areas after withdrawal of curfew.
The clashes and protests amid restrictions and lockdown were reported other districts of Valley. At Harde Panzu in Beerwah area of Budgam district, one Showkat Sheikh was critically injured after he was hit by bullet in his neck during clashes. The youth was initially shifted to Khansahab Hospital wherefrom he was referred to SMHS Hospital. His condition is stated to be critical.
Clashes erupted at Sumlar and Main Town in Bandipora district, Old Town, Palhallan, Dooru Sopore and Ladoora Rafiabad in Baramulla district, Langate in Kupwara district of North Kashmir. Clashes were reported from central Kashmir’s Kangan area of Ganderbal district. The south Kashmir’s Seer Hamdan in Anantnag district, Hatmora, Tahab, Newa and Litter in Pulwama district also witnessed clashes after Friday prayers.
Last night unidentified persons hurled three petrol bombs on a fruit shops at Lal Bazar area of Srinagar. The fruit shop was damaged in the attack and police have registered a case. Police has started hunt to nab the culprits behind the attack.
A police spokesman while detailing the situation of Friday said: “Situation remained under control throughout Kashmir today till filling of this report. In view of Jamia Masjid Chalo call given by some separatist organizations restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure in some parts of Srinagar.”
He said after Friday prayers some stone pelting incidents were reported from Srinagar, Pulwama, Kulgam and Sopore. “At these places miscreants after Friday prayers assembled and pelted stones on Police and security force deployments. They were chased away. In Pulwama, miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb on police and security force deployment in Pirchoo area. However, no one was injured in this incident. Police has taken cognizance of the incident,” he said.

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