Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 1: A protester drowned in river Jhelum today as security forces were chasing a group of them in the outskirts of Srinagar, with widespread clashes reported during protests across Kashmir amid shutdown.
A protester, Danish Ahmad Haroon, resident of Palpora in Noorbagh area of Srinagar drowned in river Jhelum at Palpora after security forces fired tear smoke at a mob and chased away them.
Reports said that protests broke out at Palpora in the outskirts of Srinagar and security forces fired tear smoke at mob during which Danish fell into river Jhelum and drowned.
Reports said that attempts are on to fish out his body but so far there were no traces. The incident triggered massive protests in the area and its adjoining localities for hours together.
Massive protests broke out in parts of old city areas of Srinagar. Thousands of youth staged massive protests at Nowhatta area of downtown and took out a march towards Lal Chowk which was, however, intercepted by Police and CRPF at Khwaja Bazar, triggering clashes.
Police and CRPF fired dozens of teargas shells and used pellets, resulting in injuries to several protesters. The protests also erupted at Nawa Kadal, Bhori Kadal, Safa Kadal and Rajouri Kadal areas of downtown. At Nawa Kadal, an auto-rickshaw was torched by a group of youth in morning hours for defying shutdown.
Stone throwing protesters clashed with security forces at Chhatabal, Zampa Kadal and Batamaloo areas of Srinagar. Police and CRPF fired tear smoke and pellets at protesters during the clashes in these areas which continued for several hours. Several protesters were injured in these clashes.
In South Kashmir, massive clashes erupted at several places and security forces fired tear smoke and pellets. Reports said that the massive protests broke out at Trenz Shopian, Pakharpora in Pulwama and Shamsipora in Anantnag.
At Badasgam village in Kokernag area of Anantnag, security forces foiled a rally during which clashes erupted in which 10 protesters were injured. Police in Gudoora area of Pulwama district arrested five youth on charges of stone-throwing while clashes erupted at Pakharpora this evening and security forces fired teargas on protesters.
In Budgam district of central Kashmir, massive clashes erupted at Kanihama and Mazhama areas during which around two dozen persons were injured. The security forces fired pellets and teargas on protesters. Clashes were also reported from Ompora area of Budgam.
Several protesters were injured as clashes between youths and forces erupted at many areas of Bandipora district in north Kashmir. The clashes erupted at Gulshan Chowk and Hajin. Reports said that restrictions were imposed at Kaloosa in Bandipora.
Protests also broke out at Kupwara in which at least 8 persons were injured. Massive protests broke out at Drugmulla in Kupwara after security forces allegedly ransacked houses. Reports said that the police used force against the protesters and in the clashes eight protesters were injured. The clashes and protests also erupted at Notnusa and Lalpora areas.
The shutdown across the Valley paralysed life and all commercial activities remained disrupted for 55th day today. Schools, colleges remained shut, Government offices and banks had skeletal staff. The public transport was off the roads with some private vehicles plying in civil lines area.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained disrupted for 55th day today while mobile internet and pre-paid mobile services continued to be shut down across Kashmir to prevent further violence.
Police said barring some stray stone pelting incidents, the overall situation remained under control throughout the Valley till filing of this report.
“Three stone pelting incidents were reported from Srinagar and Kupwara, and one each from Anantnag, Shopian, Ganderbal, Budgam and Sopore,” the spokesman said and added that at these places “miscreants” came on the roads and “attempted to disturb the normal traffic and movement of people by pelting stones on vehicles and on police and security force deployments”. He said increased inter district and inner city traffic movement continued through-out the Valley.
Meanwhile, police booked five more people under Public Safety Act in Kashmir. Those booked are Nisar Ahmad Rather, resident of Dadsara Tral, Ghulam Qadir Naik of Beighpora Awantipora, Muhammad Yusuf Najar of Nai Basti Tral, Bilal Sheikh of Sheikh Mohalla Nandpora Anantnag and Ajaz Wagay of Ashajipora Anantnag.
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