Normal life was affected in Kashmir on Friday due to the strike called by Resistance leadership.Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments remained closed due to the strike. Both public and private transport remained off from the roads.The officials said schools and other educational institutions were closed.Similar reports were received from most other district headquarters of the Valley, they said.The separatists are spearheading the ongoing agitation since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with forces on July 8.Batamaloo area of Srinagar city witnessed massive protest and clashes shortly after the culmination of Friday prayers. Large number of people assembled at Reka Chowk, Dandarkah, SD Colony and other areas of Batamaloo and pelted stones of the deployed Forces who retaliated with tear-smoke shells. As the clashes intensified and more and more youth resorted to massive stone-pelting, the government forces personnel fired a number of bullets in air to disperse the agitating protesters. The clashes continued for hours. Protesters were protesting against the civilian and militant killings in Kashmir.
Reports said that clashes between protesters and government forces erupted in different parts of Kashmir Valley including Pulwama, Tral, Baramulla, Papachen Bandipora, Sopore, Sangam Bijbehara and Nowhatta Srinagar. At Magam town of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, at least 7 persons were injured after government forces fired pellets and tear-smoke shells to disperse protesters who attacked deployed troopers with stones. Eyewitnesses told CNS that a Milad procession from Makhama led by Ghulam Rasool Hami culminated in Magam. Shortly after the culmination of the procession, youth resorted to stone-pelting and attacked deployed forces. The government forces used tear-smoke shells and pellets to dissipate the protesters resulting in the injuries of all but 7 persons.Protesters according to police snatched the rifle of a policeman who was injured during clashes in Magam area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district. A senior police officer confirmed that the Insas rifle of the constable, identified as Reyaz Ahmad, was snatched by protesters in Makhama area.The injured cop is being treated for injuries at Sub-district hospital Magam.
A peaceful pro-freedom march was carried out in Noorpora Tral after the culmination of Friday congregational prayers. The march was led by senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Samad Inqalabi.Two massive pro-freedom marches were carried out from Sirhama and Waghama in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The rallies culminated at the house of the slain Hizb militant Engineer Basit Rasool Dar. People expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and offered special prayers for the departed soul.Government barred Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Shah Geelani from participating in a Seerat Conference to be held in Jamia Masjid Srinagar. A Hurriyat (G) spokesperson said that police and paramilitary forces had been deployed in strength outside the residence-cum-office of octogenarian leader Syed Ali Geelani at Hyderpora. He said that Geelani was not allowed to move out.Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik addressed a large gathering at Muslim Chowk in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Malik appeared in Bugam area and offered Friday congregational prayers there. Eyewitnesses told news agency CNS that shortly after Friday congregational prayers, Malik led a peaceful procession that was attended by a large number of people. Amid pro-freedom slogans people marched towards Muslim Chowk where Malik addressed the people. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was however allowed to led Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid. (CNS)