Even though separatist leadership had asked people to resume their business from 2pm onwards on Tuesday while authorities had lifted restrictions on the movement of the people, youth in various areas reportedly not allowed shopkeepers to open up their shops while majority of traders at city centre Lal Chowk also preferred not to open up their shops though the shopkeepers were present on their shopfronts.Eyewitnesses told CNS that people in different parts of old Srinagar city shortly after government announced lifting of restrictions hit to roads and blocked them thus disrupting the vehicular movement. In Khanyar a large number of youth resorted to stone-pelting while at Baba-Demb masked agitated youth restricted the movement of commuters and pedestrians. A pro-freedom march was taken out in Safakadal that was attended by a large number of people. “Police intervened near Jahangir Chowk and resorted to tear-gas shelling to disperse them. The protesters chanting pro-freedom slogans waved green flags and tried to proceed towards city centre Lal Chowk. It was a peaceful protest. The protesters crossed many CRPF pickets and neither protesters reacted nor CRPF raised any objection,” said an eyewitness.
Clashes were also reported from Kaksarai area of Srinagar city. The people were protesting the killing of civilians by government forces in last 17 days in Kashmir. Amid anti-India and pro-freedom slogans the protesters hurled rocks on the armed forces. Clashes also broke out in Khankah area of Srinagar city where few protesters reportedly suffered injuries. Reports said that a 61-year-old man died after he was caught in clashes at Eidgah area. Witnesses said that Mushtaq Ahmed of Rajouri Kadal, was on his Scooty when forces resorted to shelling at protestors at Eidgah. He failed to control his vehicle and fell down due to which he sustained critical head injuries. He succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS, Soura.In Maisuma, patriotic songs were aired through Masjid Loudspeakers while a large number of youth hit to road chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. At least 50 protestors were killed by forces during mass uprising which started with the killing of popular militant commander Burhan Wani on July 08, 2016 evening in Kokernag area of South Kashmir.
Earlier, the authorities had decided to lift curfew and restrictions from Srinagar city; however, majority of shopkeepers didn’t open up their shops after protests erupted in many parts of the city. Reports said that some shops opened up near Ghanta Ghar however, business establishments remained shut in Regal Chowk and other areas.Reports said that Srinagar like situation prevailed in Apple Town Sopore where despite no curfew and restrictions in vogue, business establishments remained shut. Police sources said that at least one person was injured near Sarband Zinpanchal area of Pakharpora town when police used tear-smoke shells and pellets on a procession that was on way from Pakharpora to Charar-e-Sharif.
Reports from South Kashmri’s Pulwama district said that a huge procession was taken out by people which was dispersed by police after they fired tear smoke shells. Clashes and protests also erupted in Malkhnag area of Anantnag district where at least six people received pellet injuries. Earlier in the Town a nocturnal protests had broken out during the night as thousands of angry men and women rallied against civilian killings by armed forces during the ongoing protests in the valley. (CNS)