Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 8: Authorities today imposed restrictions in South Kashmir’s Pulwama Town even as the shutdown over the demand of installing militant insignia entered 10th day.
Hundreds of police personnel in riot gear were deployed across the Town since early morning in strength to prevent protests. The security personnel enforced the restrictions strictly throughout the day and restricted the movement of civilians.
The other areas close to the Town, which were not placed under the restrictions, observed the shutdown for the 10th straight day over the demand of installing militant insignia at ‘Shaheed Park’ in the Main Town.
The District Administration has refused the permission for the installation of the insignia but the people on the other side are also adamant on their demand. The Auqaf Committee and Traders Federation once again today urged the administration to allow them to install the insignia.
Even as the situation remained peaceful in majority of areas but violent clashes between police and protesters broke out at Prichoo after Friday prayers. Police lobbed teargas shells to disperse the stone-throwers and the clashes later came to halt.
Meanwhile, scores of masked youths today staged protests in Nowhatta and its adjoining areas after Friday prayers here in downtown.
Later, the protesters started heavy stone-pelting on security forces who responded by firing dozens of teargas shells and also used pellet gunfire against the protesters. With the police action, the clashes took an ugly turn and spread to adjoining areas of Rajouri Kadal, Gojwara and Saraf Kadal.
The shopkeepers of Jamia Masjid meanwhile accused police of thrashing them and ransacking their shops on the pretext of chasing stone-throwers. A police officer when contacted denied the charge.
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