Police Monday registered a case against vested interest elements who according to them used a child as shield to prevent a team of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) to demolish illegal structures at Ashai Bagh Nigeen area of Srinagar city. Eyewitnesses told CNS that the demolition drive carried out by LAWDA sparked violent protest in Ashai Bagh while agitating protesters draped in shrouds resorted to stone-pelting prompting police to burst tear smoke shells to disperse them. Vehicular movement was disrupted for hours while protesters raised anti-LAWDA slogans.
Eyewitnesses added that a little kid whom police identified as Manzoor Ahmed draped in white cloth set himself on fire. He was immediately shifted to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura. “He is stable but we have registered a formal case to find out who instigated and exploited that kid. How can a kid barely knowing about ABC of the incident spray kerosene and set himself on fire in bollywood style. The culprits will be booked,” said a top police official. (CNS)