Violent clashes between youth and government forces erupted in several areas of Old City post-Friday congregational prayers during which several protesters sustained injuries.Eyewitnesses told news agency GNS that as soon as Friday prayers culminated at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, the youths holding banners and flags of LeT and ISIS started anti-India and pro-freedom protests in the compound of the mosque.The protesters, according to eyewitnesses, tried to March towards Nowhatta but a large contingent of police and CRPF stopped them by resorting to teargas shelling. The forces action infuriated the youths and they pelted stones on forces ensuing clashes.
During the clashes, police also used pepper shells and fired pellets towards youth protesters, the eyewitnesses said, adding several youths were injured in the government forces action. “However no one was seriously injured,” they added.According to eyewitnesses, more and more youths later assembled in the Jamia Masjid area and pelted stones on forces. The clashes also erupted in neighbouring Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Islamia School and Gojwara.Meanwhile, people of these areas once again complained that teargas and pepper gas fired by police causes massive inconvenience to them and particularly to elders and children. (GNS)