Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Clashes break in Srinagar amid strike by separatists; 2 hurt

June 27, 2015 20:47 IST

Violent clashes broke out between a group of youths and security forces in parts of the city on Saturday, leaving a youth and a policeman injured in stone pelting as separatist groups called a strike in Srinagar condemning the police action on Jamia Masjid on Friday.

Heavy police deplyoment as protesters pelt stones during a protest. Photograph: PTI

The group fought battles with security forces at Maisuma near Lal Chowk, they said.

During the clashes, head constable Bansi Lal of IRP received stone injury on the head. He was shifted to SKIMS Soura for treatment, the police said.

Police said that a group of 20-25 youths started pelting stones on security forces in Nowhatta near Jamia Masjid.

The protests then spread to Rajouri Kadal Chowk and Saraf Kadal areas of the city.

In the ensuing clashes, 25-year-old Sahil Ahmad Chonka received pellet injuries on eyes and chest, the police said, adding he was admitted at SMHS hospital in Srinagar where his condition is stated to be stable.

During the protests, some youth waved controversial flags at Rajouri Kadal.

Protesters clash with security forces and during strike called by various separatist groups in Srinagar on Saturday. Photograph: S Irfan/ PTI 

Clashes were also reported from Kawdara area of downtown city, they said.

Saturday’s strike was called by separatist groups in Srinagar to protest the clashes between pro-separatist protestors and security forces in Srinagar.

Though shops were shut in Lal Chowk city centre, they were open in most other parts of the district, officials said.

Footpath and hand cart vendors went about their business as usual while public transport was plying normally at most of the places.

A youth pelts stones at security forces during a strike called by various separatist groups. Photograph: PTI

Government offices and banks functioned normally across Srinagar district, the officials said.

However, schools remained shut in the city as a precautionary measure towards safety of the students in the wake of the strike call, they said.

Clashes broke out on Friday between the protestors and security forces during which Pakistan and global terror outfit IS flags were raised by some youth in Nowhatta area in Srinagar.

As soon as the Friday prayers were over at Jamia Masjid, a large number of youth raised pro-freedom and pro-Pakistan slogans and tried to march towards Nowhatta Chowk, police said.

Protesters pelt stones at security forces amidst heavy tear gas smoke during a strike called by various separatist groups in Srinagar on Saturday. Photograph: S Irfan/ PTI 

Chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq claimed police fired tear smoke shells inside the mosque, terming the action as "interference in religious affairs".

The strike call was given by Anjuman Awqaf Jama Masjid, which manages the affairs of the grand mosque, to condemn the police action.

The strike was supported by the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who said the act caused "tremendous hardships to the devotees in the mosque who had assembled to offer Friday prayers there".

A security official fires a tear gas shell to disperse protesters during a strike called by various separatist groups. Photograph: PTI

The strike was also supported by hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and Kashmir Economic Alliance.

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.