Srinagar: On the 91st day of uprising in the Valley, the authorities imposed curfew in seven police station areas of the city on Friday to thwart the UN chalo march after mandatory Friday prayers called by the separatist leadership.
According to a top police official, “Curfew has been imposed in seven police station areas of Srinagar city to thwart the march called by the separatist leadership.”
Meanwhile, reports of clashes and protests were received from difference areas in Kashmir during which scores of people sustained injuries.
Central Kashmir
Curfew was imposed by the authorities in the police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Maisuma and Batamaloo.
The decision to impose curfew was taken to foil the UN chalo march called by the separatist leadership including Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief, Muhammad Yasin Malik through a joint statement issued to media organizations.
Meanwhile, on the 13th consecutive Friday today, the authorities continue to bar people from offering mandatory Fridaycongregational prayers in the historical Jamia Masjid in Old city here.
Residents of Nowhatta said that the authorities imposed curfew on the 13th Friday to disallow people from offering congregational prayers in Jamia Masjid.
However, after considerable movement of private vehicles from past couple of day, the roads across Srinagar city especially in the commercial hub Lal Chowk wore a deserted look.
Witnesses said that large contingent of forces were deployed on roads and streets in Srinagar while all the roads leading towards Sonwar were sealed by the authorities. “Forces had erected concertina wires on roads and were not restricting the movement of commuters” witnesses told KNS.
Meanwhile, according to KNS correspondent, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Barzulla area of Srinagar during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.
As soon as the Friday congregational prayers ended in the area, protesters mostly youth took top streets and raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
The youth later pelted stones on forces who in return used tear smoke shells to disperse them.
Meanwhile, reports said that clashes erupted in Srinagar’s Chanapora area.
Reports said that as soon as the congregational Friday prayers ended, people came out on roads in Lone Mohalla area and raised pro-freedom slogans.
“Forces fired tear gas shells and pellets to disperse off the protestors,” reports quoting local sources said, adding that one youth was hit by a tear gas shell in his hand following which he was shifted to the hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, reports said that a 12-year-old boy was critically injured in Srinagar’s Eidgah area today when he was hit by pellets during the clashes in the locality that erupted between youth and forces after mandatory Friday congregational prayers.
“The youth identified as Junaid was hit by pellets in chest and head,” reports quoting sources in SKIMS Soura said, “He is unconscious and is being treated in operation theatre.”
Meanwhile, clashes also erupted between youth and forces in Soura area here during which forces used tear smokes hells to disperse the agitating youth.
“People wanted to take out pro-freedom rally but forces fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters triggering clashes in the area,” reports said.
Meanwhile, scores of people sustained injuries during the clashes between youth and forces in Batapora, Kanihama area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Forces used tear gas shells and pellets to disperse the youth who were throwing stones on them during which scores of people sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, clashes and protests were reported from several other localities across central Kashmir including district Srinagar.
North Kashmir
According to KNS correspondent, Bhat Zahoor, forces foiled the peaceful protests in Gulshan Chowk area of Bandipora district by resorting to tear gas canisters triggering clashes in the area.
After mandatory Friday congregational prayers, people assembled outside the Masjid and staged peaceful protest. “As soon as the protesters tried to march towards main road, forces used tear gas canisters to disperse them which led to the intense clashes in the area,” witnesses said.
Clashes also erupted in Hajin area during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth during which three youth as per reports sustained injuries.
Reports said that clashes broke out in Hajin town after Friday prayers near Jamia Masjid and main Chowk after the protesters chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans took to streets.
Forces fired several rounds of teargas shells to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes.
Meanwhile, in Ajas and Sadarkoot Bala areas of Bandipora, peaceful protests were held by the people after Fridayprayers. The protesters raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans during the protests.
The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
Meanwhile, reports said that following the Friday congregational prayers, forces in Sopore town of Baramulla district foiled the protests by resorting to tear smoke shells triggering clashes in the area.
Reports said that hundreds of people tried to march from Jamia Masjid Sopore after prayers amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
However, forces deployed in huge numbers swung into action and used tear gas canisters to disperse them near main bazaar triggering clashes.
Reports of clashes between protesters and forces were also received from Jamia Qadeem.
Meanwhile, reports of clashes and protests were reported from several other areas during the day.
South Kashmir
A complete shutdown was observed in South Kashmir districts today.
All the shops, educational institutes, business establishments, petrol pumps and other establishments remained closed throughout the day.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Goriwan area of Bijbehara town during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse them.
“As soon as the Friday prayers ended in the area, clashes erupted between youth and forces during which forces tried to disperse off the youth by using tear gas canisters,” local sources said, adding that the clashes were ongoing till late evening areas.
Meanwhile, reports of clashes and protests were also reported from several other districts of South Kashmir.
Police Version
According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, in view of the UN Chalo call given by some separatist organizations and also the violence resorted to by miscreants on last few Fridays, curfew was imposed in few Police Stations of Srinagar city as a precautionary measure, today.
The statement said that during the day eleven incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Baramulla and Sopore. The situation remained under control and there was no report of any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, continuing with its efforts to neutralize the activities of the miscreants and hooligans, 56 persons found involved in different crimes of creating public disorder have been arrested during the last 24 hours the statement said. (KNS)
Day 91; curfew imposed in Srinagar areas to foil UN chalo march
