Curfew and restrictions continued on 75th straight day in Kashmir while the reports of clashes and protests were reported during which scores of people were injured.A top police official told KNS that except parts of Srinagar, curfew was lifted from Valley while the restrictions remained in forces in several areas to thwart any possible protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir.However, clashes and protests were reported in several patrts of Kashmir during the day.Reports said that clashes erupted between youth and forces in Shangran village of Doru area in Anantnag district.Reports said that a freedom rally was proposed in the area and people in large numbers started moving towards the venue early today raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.“Authorities had already deployed heavy deployment which swung into action and fired tear smoke canisters to disperse the protesting people ensuing clashes,” witnesses said.They said several were injured and clashes were going on till late evening hours.Meanwhile, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Zainapora area of Shopian during which forces used several tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.Reports of clashes and protests were reported in several other areas of South Kashmir districts during the day.Besides clashes and protests, a complete shutdown was observed in South Kashmir today with all shops, business establishments, schools and petrol pumps remaining closed.Similarly, a complete shutdown was observed in North Kashmir areas while clashes and protests were reported in several areas during the day.According to KNS correspondent, Bhat Zahoor, In Bandipora area of North Kashmir, authorities slapped PSA on seven youth and were shifted to Kot Bolwal jail in Jammu.
The youth against whom PSA was slapped were identified as Muhammad Mubarak Koul, Son of Ghulam Muhammad Koul, resident of Baharabad, Tehsil Hajin, Tariq Ahmad Lone, son of Abdul majid Lone, resident of vijipara, Tajamul Rasool Mir, son of Ghulam rasool Mir, resident of Sadarkoot bala, Muhammad Ayoub Mir, son of Ali Muhammad Mir, resident of Mir Mohalla Hajin, Bilal Ahmad Dar, son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar, resident of Sadarkoot Bala, Gulzar Ahmad Rather, son of Muhammad ramzan rather, resident of Khumina, Imtiyaz Ahmad Malik, son of Abdul Sattar Malik, resident of Panzinara.Witnesses said that following the injuring of Aqib, nocturnal protest was held in Hajin area.“People came out from their homes and staged massive protests. They were chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans,” witnesses told KNS.He said that besides this, a complete shutdown was observed in Bandipora. In other districts of North Kashmir, reports of clashes and protests were reported throughout the day.In central Kashmir, a complete shutdown was observed during the day while reports of protests were reported as well.In Hazratbal area of Srinagar, women organized protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir.Hundreds of women assembled on main road and staged protest. “They were chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans,” witnesses said.According to KNS correspondent, the people of Ram Bagh staged protests against the civilian killings. “People mostly youth on Masjid loudspeakers were chanting slogans in favour of Azadi and against India,” witnesses said.
The protests and minor clashes were also reported in several other areas during the day.Meanwhile, Muslims in Bhaderwah staged a protest amid a complete shutdown to protest against the unabated civilian killings in Kashmir.All shops and commercial establishments belonging to Muslims remained closed on the call of resistance leadership in Kashmir which had called for a shutdown in solidarity with the people of Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal regions.A protest was staged within the premises of Markazi Jamia Masjid, on the call of Anjuman Islamia Bhadarwah to show their resentment over the “worst kinds of human rights violations” in Kashmir and increasing incidents to “communalise the situation in Chenab Valley by the RSS.”Following the shutdown call given by the separatist leadership, a complete shutdown was Wednesday observed in Banihal area to express solidarity with the people of Pir Panchal and Chenab Valley.All the shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and other business establishments remained closed throughout the day.Reports said that the authorities have snapped mobile Internet and broadband services in Banihal today in order to maintain law and order situation there.A complete shutdown was observed in Kishtwar district against the unabated civilian killings in Kashmir and booking of youths in the district in various cases.The call for shutdown was given by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo after a decision taken by the Majlis-e-Shoora comprising various Imams of the Masjids and the religious bodies.
The shutdown was observed to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir region in view of civilian killings and against the district administration Kishtwar for registering FIRs against youths and Imams of Kishtwar.All business establishments in Kishtwar district including schools remained closed while thin attendance was recorded in government offices.Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, there was no curfew in the Valley except under the areas of three police stations in Srinagar.“Police arrested 43 individuals found involved in stopping/disrupting the traffic, damaging vehicles, public property and creating disruption in opening of shops,” the statement said.It said a couple of stone pelting incidents were reported from Zainapora in Shopian and Shangran, Dooru in Anantnag where miscreants in their attempts to disturb the situation assembled and pelted stones on police and security force deployments.“Barring these incidents, the overall situation remained under control across the valley. Greater movement of people and vehicular traffic was observed across the valley including in the Srinagar city,” the statement said.Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued by Zonal Police Headquarters Jammu, the overall situation throughout the Jammu zone remained normal.“Following improvement in situation, the district administration Rajouri announced relaxation in curfew today from morning 700hrs till further orders,” it said. (KNS)