Though the curfew and restrictions were re-imposed in a few parts of Kashmir, clashes and protests were reported on the 64th straight day on Friday in many areas throughout the day during which several people sustained injuries.According to a top police official, curfew and restrictions were re-imposed in several areas today to thwart any possible protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir.Notably, the historic Jamia Masjid in old city area of Srinagar continued to remain closed for the 9thconsecutiveFriday today.The historic Jamia Masjid was sealed by the authorities and people were barred to offer Friday congregational prayers in it.Locals told KNS that the curfew was also imposed in the area while the people were not allowed to move outside of their homes.Meanwhile, forces foiled a pro-freedom protest rally in Dargah area today and fired tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters.According to KNS correspondent, as soon as Friday congregation ended at Dargah Hazratbal, people started raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
Witnesses said that they tried to take out a pro-freedom rally in the area but forces foiled the rally and used tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters.Meanwhile, as per KNS correspondent, at least 6 people were injured after forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters in Ram Bagh area of Srinagar today.The residents told KNS that forces used tear gas canisters and pellets to disperse the protesters in Ram Bagh area who were protesting against the civilian killings in Kashmir.“Forces entered in the locality and damaged scores of residential houses in the area and other goods as well. They also arrested a youth during the action,” inhabitants said.As per KNS correspondent, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Natipora area of Srinagar today during which forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the youth.However, no injury was reported during the clashes in the locality.Meanwhile, Police had sealed Hyderpora area of Srinagar where Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani was scheduled to address a press conference at 11 am.
The journalists who managed to reach near the residence of the Hurriyat (G) chairman said that “policemen were forcing them to retreat from the area.”Geelani, who is under house arrest, had called for an “important” press conference at 11 am today.Meanwhile, reports said that protest rallies were taken out at several places in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district while authorities barred people to offer Friday congregational prayers at Beehama Jamia Masjid for the seventh consecutive Friday.The rallies as per reports were taken out after Friday prayers ended in local Masjid’s in Beehama, Safapora, Manigam, Batwina, Kangan and Preng areas of the district.Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed across central Kashmir while clashes and protests were reported from other areas as well.
Similarly, besides observing complete shutdown today, clashes and protesters were reported in several North Kashmir areas throughout the day during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.According to KNS correspondent, Maznoor Sheeri, forces used tear gas canisters on an Islamic programme in Sheeri area of Baramulla district triggering clashes.Witnesses said that a peaceful Islamic programme was going to start in a local Eidgah at Sheeri Heevan area of the district.However, forces came and used tear smoke shells to disperse the participants.Witnesses said that seven persons sustained injuries during the force action, adding that “one among the injured women was shifted to District hospital Baramulla for specialized treatment.”They said that forces also arrested seven persons form the locality, adding that “forces damaged the windowpanes of several residential houses in the area.”As per KNS correspondent, Muhammad Lateef Bhat, at least five civilians were injured during the clashes between youth and forces in Chandarhama village of Pattan area of Baramulla district.
Witnesses said that the people had decided to offer Friday congregations jointly in which hundreds of people participated.They said that a peaceful protest was held in the area after Friday prayers, which was foiled by the forces who resorted to tear gas canisters triggering clashes.Meanwhile, as per KNS correspondent, Bhat Zahoor, clashes erupted between youth and forces in several Bandipora areas including main chowk, Ajar, Kaloosa and Hajin. “Forces used several tear smoke shells to disperse the youth in the area,” eye-witnesses told KNS.They said that two youth sustained injuries during the clashes in Hajin area.Block Medical Officer (BMO), Hajin Dr Tariq told KNs that the injured were shifted to Srinagar’s hospital for treatment.Meanwhile, the photojournalists said that the forces didn’t allow them to cover the clashes in Hajin.Meanwhile, as per KNS correspondent, peaceful protests were held in Ajas and Naidkhai area of the district during which pro-freedom and anti-India slogans were raised.
Meanwhile, according to KNS correspondent, at least 10 persons were injured during the clashes that broke out after forces tried to foil a pro-freedom rally in Langate area of Kupwara district.Witnesses said that as soon as Friday congregational prayers ended in the locality, people took out a pro freedom rally which was foiled by the forces by resorting to tear gas canisters.“At least 10 civilians were injured during the forces action,” witnesses said.Meanwhile, people form Hampora, Panditpora, Nahama, Begpora took out a pro freedom rally in the area, which was foiled by the forces by resorting to tear smoke shells triggering clashes during which six civilians were injured while four other were arrested.Witnesses said that forces also damaged the residential houses in the area.
Meanwhile, amid observing complete shutdown, similar situation was reported from South Kashmir areas today.At least four persons were injured after forces allegedly fired pellets at protesters in Shopian town in south Kashmir.Reports quoting hospital sources said that four persons have been hit by pellets.“One of the injured was referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment,” they said.Reports said that the youth defied curfew and staged protests in Shopian town.They said that forces deployed in the area tried to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes during which forces used tear gas canisters and pellets to disperse the youth.Meanwhile reports said that clashes erupted between youth and forces in Dooru area of Anantnag district afterFriday congregational prayers ended in the locality.As soon as the prayers ended, people took to streets and raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters triggering clashes.
Clashes were ongoing till late hours of the evening. Meanwhile, reports quoting the residents of Bathnoor and Armulla villages of Pulwama district in south Kashmir alleged that forces ransacked the residential houses in their areas during an overnight raid.
They alleged that forces entered into their villages in the intervening night of Thursday-Friday and damaged the houses in the area.
“They ransacked houses, damaged vehicles during an overnight raid,” alleged a resident.Meanwhile, clashes and protests were reported from several other South Kashmir areas during which forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.Meanwhile, according to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Khan, keeping in view the violence and stone pelting incidents of the previous Fridays, curfew was imposed in 12 Police Stations of Srinagar, towns of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Awantipora and Baramulla today.However, according to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, 31 incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora and Handwara.“At these places, miscreants assembled on the roads after Friday prayers and pelted stones on police and security force deployments,” it said adding that the situation remained by and large under control across the Valley. (KNS)