Valley witnesses shutdown, protests and clashes on Friday against issuance of “domicile certificates” to non-state subject West Pakistani Refugees residing in Jammu areas, even as Valley’s top separatist leaders strongly reacted to the government’s move and threatened state-wide agitation “if it is not rolled back forthwith.” The joint resistance leadership—Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik—had urged people to stage protests against “settlement” of WPRs in Jammu and Kashmir through issuance of domicile certificates, on Friday. The leaders had also called for a complete strike against the move that has come in from severe criticism from several quarters. The shutdown call evoked a complete response as shops remained shut while traffic remained off the roads.Eyewitnesses told CNS that massive clashes and protests erupted shortly after Friday prayers in South Kashmri’s Pulwama district while police arrested JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik when he tried to lead a protest march in the district. Reports and witnessed added Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Yasin Malik was detained after he attempted to lead a protest rally against the issuance of identity certificates to West Pakistan refugees. Witnesses said that Malik, who had reached Pulwama town in the middle of the night, came out of the Jamia Masjid after congregational Friday prayers to lead the protest rally. Police personnel deployed outside the mosque swooped on him as soon as he came out.To prevent his arrest, people staged a strong protest, said an eyewitness. Police fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes.
Malik addressed people inside and outside Jamia Masjid and urged upon people of Kashmir to raise the voice against the evil designs of India. He also appealed people to stay away from the Parliament elections. Police had cordoned off the Jamia Masjid Pulwama after Malik appeared their during morning prayers. He was not allowed to come out of the Masjid from morning to afternoon prayers.Protest and clashes were also reported from South Kashmir’s Tral town where according to locals government used tear-smoke shells to disperse the pro-freedom protesters.Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest and was not allowed to lead Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid. Reports said that shortly after the culmination of Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid, scores of youth hurled stones and bricks at police and paramilitary CRPF men, triggering clashes. The protestors were carrying placards displaying slogans that sought immediate rollback of issuance issuing domicile certificates to WPRs who are mostly living in Jammu province. Forces chased the youth and fired dozens of tear-gas shells. Clashes according to eyewitnesses continued for hours.
JKLF activists organized a peaceful protest at Abiguzar Srinagar. Demanding the immediate roll back of the controversial decision to issue domicile certificates to the WP refugees, the protesters amid pro-freedom slogans waved Independent Kashmir flags. The protest culminated peacefully.Protests and clashes were reported from Batamaloo area also. Reports said that scores of youth clashed with police after Friday prayers. Government forces burst tear-smoke shells to disperse the agitating youth who hurled stones on forces personnel. A peaceful protest was staged by Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in Hyderpora Srinagar. Syed Ali Geelani, the Hurriyat leader continued to be under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence. The protest was led by Pir Saifullah, Imtiyaz Hyder, Gazi Javaid Baba, Abdul Hamid Magray.Reports from north Kashmir said amid complete shutdown in Baramulla district, clashes between protesting youth and police were reported from Sopore area on Friday afternoon. Witnesses said that scores of youth assembled outside the Jamia Masjid area and started shouting pro-freedom slogans.Forces deployed in the area fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters who were throwing stones.Locals from Aripanthan Budgam alleged that CRPF resorted to vandalism and smashed windowpanes of the residential houses after people organized a pro-freedom protest in the area. A police official said that barring few stray incidents of stone-pelting the situation remained peaceful across Kashmir. (CNS)