Clashes erupted in Pulwama town in south Kashmir on Thursday after students of Boys Higher Secondary school marched into the streets, demanding release of their peers arrested on Wednesday.Locals alleged that Para-military Central Reserve Police Force personnel let loose a reign of terror at Chattpora locality on Wednesday evening damaging parked vehicles, ransacking houses and assaulting every soul. They added that during a night raid 5 Taveera drivers were arrested. The arrest of drivers and the CRPF action sparked shutdown in the district on Thursday.Reports said that a large number of students from Mehjoor Memorial Higher Secondary hit to roads and amid pro-freedom slogans pelted stones on deployed government forces personnel. The Government Forces fired tear-smoke shells to disperse the agitated students who were demanding release of their colleagues.
Pertinently, students across Kashmir have been rallying this month at anti-India demonstrations, facing off against government forces.Meanwhile, clashes erupted in Kralpora area of Kupwara after students clashed with forces while protesting against the Pulwama college incident. Reports said that the students from Government Higher Secondary School Narbal held a protest demonstration and while marching towards nearby army camp, they clashed with forces. Later on youth from surrounding areas joined the protesting students. Witnesses said that students resorted to heavy stone-pelting prompting government forces to fire tear-smoke shells to dissipate them.Reports from Langate Handwara in North Kashmir said that students of Boys Higher Secondary School hit to roads and pelted stones on government forces.
The incident sparked shutdown in the area. Reports said that protesting students tried to block Baramulla-Handwara road, however, they were chased away by police and road was restored for traffic. Students of Degree College Charar-e-Sharif carried out a peaceful march in the town.The students raised pro-freedom slogans and after marching in the town they dispersed peacefully.Reports from Sugan area of South kashmir’s Shopian district said that clashes erupted there between government forces and locals after forces cordoned the village and started search operation. Sources said that as the joint forces of army, CRPF and SOG cordoned the village and started house to house searches, locals came out on streets and amid pro-freedom slogans. Reports said that the protests lead to intense clashes as forces resorted to tear smoke shelling to quell the protesters. (CNS)