Srinagar: Amid shutdown, State Government on Friday imposed curfew-like restrictions in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir Valley on Friday to prevent a separatist called protest march. Contingents of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in full riot gear were deployed in both uptown and old city areas of Srinagar to impose curfew-like restrictions to prevent a separatist called sit-in and protest march here. Coils of razor fitted concertina wire were placed on main roads and traffic intersections here by the security forces. Both pedestrian and vehicular movements were disallowed except in city outskirts where some private vehicles were seen moving in the morning.
Resistance leadership had asked people to march to the state Rajbhawan in the high security Chashma shahi area here as part of their protest calendar.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown is being observed on the 98th consecutive day across Kashmir on the call of separatist leaders.
Stone-pelting incidents were reported from old Barzullah area of Srinagar city where police used tear-smoke shells to disperse pro-freedom protesters. The protesting youth according to reports resorted to heavy stone-pelting when police didn’t allow them to proceed towards the main road. A protest march was taken out from Safakadal area of old Srinagar city where youth clashed with deployed government forces.
A peaceful protest was held in Rambagh area too while at Parimpora agitated youth pelted stones on police prompting them to fire tear-smoke shells.
Clashes erupted in Kangan town of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district where police used tear-smoke shells to disperse protesters who resorted to heavy stone-pelting. Earlier, a large number of people organized a pro-freedom rally shortly after the culmination of Friday prayers.
Massive protest was organized in Palapora Eidgah where several speakers addressed the protesters. The protesters chanted pro-freedom slogans and carried out a peaceful rally.
Massive protests were staged in Rohmu village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after police slapped Public Safety Act on a local youth Hilal Ahmed Itoo. As the news about his detention under PSA spread in the area, men, women and children took to roads and staged massive pro-freedom protest. The protesters chanted anti-India slogans and demanded immediate release of the youth. Itoo according to them was arrested by police during a night raid.
A peaceful pro-freedom protest was taken out in Tral town of Pulwama district which started from Khankah Faizpanah and culminated at Bus Stand Tral.
At least ten persons were injured in clashes that erupted after Friday prayers in Tahab village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Reports and witnesses said that youths pelted stones on forces which responded by firing teargas shells. Ten people were injured, they said. A pro-freedom rally was also organized in Kakapora area of the district. Witnesses said that large number of people participated in the rally. The participants amid pro-freedom slogans demanded immediate solution to Kashmir problem. They also demanded the release of detained youth.
A pro-freedom rally was organized in Ajas Bandipora in North Kashmir. Large number of people participated in the rally that was held in Eidgah. The rally culminated peacefully.
Clashes erupted between protesters and government forces in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district after Friday prayers. Witnesses said that forces resorted to teargas shells to break up a pro-freedom rally that was taken out from Eidgah Qadeem in old town Baramulla after joint Friday prayers. They said that forces lobbed teargas shells on the rally from across the Jhelum river, triggering massive clashes.Reports of clashes were also received from Saloosa Kreeri and Palhallan areas of the district. (CNS)