Clashes between protesters and government forces erupted at several places on Friday as shutdown in Kashmir Valley continued while senior resistance leader and chairman of his Huriryat Conference faction Mirwaiz delivered sermon at Jamia Masjid after five months here.According to GNS correspondent, in view of the Friday, authorities since early morning had deployed additional contingents of government forces in sensitive areas of Srinagar including in Old City. However, there was no restriction on the movement of people. At some places, forces had erected concertina wires and mobile bunkers.With joint resistance leadership calling for post-Friday protests, the authorities had deployed additional forces men in Civil Lines areas including in Maisuma, Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk and adjoining areas. The forces men had also laid barricades since early morning. Compared to other days, there was less flow of private and public transport in city parts while majority of shops, petrol pumps, commercial units and educational institutes were closed.Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, for the first time since the mass uprising started in Valley, was released from his house detention in order to deliver sermon at Jama Masjid Nowhatta on Friday occasion. The Mirwaiz along with supporters reached Jama Masjid where he was given a warm welcome with slogans by people. After offering Friday prayers, Mirwaiz led a large rally from Grand Mosque and when it reached Rajouri Kadal, police used force against the protesters.In response to police’s use of teargas shells, the protesters amid anti-India and pro-Azadi slogans pelted stones and bricks, ensuing clashes between the two sides that continued intermittently for several hours.
In Maisuma here, JKLF chairman Yasin Malik led a procession after Friday prayers but it was intercepted by police near Akhara building and the Malik was detained along with his supporters. The JKLF chief was taken to Kothi Bagh police station.A police officer said post-Friday clashes also broke out at Reka Chowk in Batamaloo area here. He said the stone-throwers were chased away by police and CRPF. Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in other districts of the Valley. Police said clashes after Friday prayers broke out at Palhallan and Sopore. Protests also erupted at Tahab village of Pulwama against arrest of 20 youth.Meanwhile, curfew remained in force at Dooru area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir after a man was killed in alleged encounter with police last evening. Police while giving its version said today: “On 1.12.2016 at about 1720 hrs an accused person namely Sajad Malik @Bita Malik decamped with an AK rifle along with one magazine from Police Station Dooru.“After firing some shots near the market, and taking advantage of the darkness he managed to escape towards Zamalgam. On way near Cherikari he fired towards an army patrol. The fire was retaliated. In the exchange of fire Shabir Malik got killed. The deceased was a released militant and a history sheeter, who was already arrested in militancy cases in various Police Stations.”However, reports said that the man was a former Sarpanch of Congress. Calling the encounter as fake, the JKPCC president, GA Mir, demanded an enquiry into the incident.(GNS)