On the 104th of mass uprising, a complete shutdown continued across Kashmir durinh which clashes erupted at few places including in Nowhatta area of downtown here.According to GNS, hundreds of forces men were deployed in five police station areas of Srinagar’s Old City – MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kada, Rainwari and Khanyar – since early morning. There was however civilian movement without any disruption in all these areas. The areas like Habba Kadal and Maisuma were also under thick security blanket.In Civil Lines and uptown area of the Srinagar, extra-ordinary movement of private transport and pedestrians was once again seen since early morning but all the shops, commercial establishments and educational institutes were closed. Besides, the vendors had set up their stalls at Batamaloo, Lal Chowk, Dalgate, Sonwar, Jehangir Chowk, Exhibition crossing and Jawahar Nagar. The forces were deployed at sensitive areas in strength.In the evening, all the markets across Srinagar opened in the wake of resistance programme of deal in strike after 5pm. The city markets including Lal Chowk witnessed huge rush of people and there were reports of heavy traffic jam from many civil lines areas.
Reports from Nowhatta area of Old City said soon after the withdrawal of forces, hundreds of locals took to streets against the continued closure of Jamia Masjid. The locals shouted pro-Azadi and pro-Islam slogans and demanded lifting of Grand Mosque siege. As the protesters started marching towards Rajouri Kadal, the police intercepted them and resorted to teargas shelling, resulting in standoff between both sides.The clashes in the area continued for nearly an hour and later they spread to adjoining areas. The clashes were also reported from Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, no untoward incident was reported from any part of the valley today. The statement said that with constant improvement in the situation coupled with increase in traffic and pedestrian movement in Srinagar and other main towns, the overall situation remained peaceful in the valley.“Greater people and vehicular movement was observed in Srinagar city as was in other parts of the valley. Shops and other business establishments were open and markets were thronged by shoppers. However, a stray incident of stone pelting was reported from Brath in Sopore,” it said.(GNS)