Though the curfew was relaxed on Tuesday morning from most areas of Srinagar and other main towns of Kashmir, the situation turned ugly when various towns and villages again witnessed protests and clashes during which more than two dozen civilians sustained injuries.Meanwhile, Kashmir remained affected for the 46th straight day due to the curfew and restrictions imposed by the authorities.As per the reports there was no respite in curfew and restrictions in some sensitive towns including Anantnag, Sopore, Pulwama and others.A top police official said the curfew was lifted in many areas of Kashmir after authorities sensed an improvement in the situation in these areas.The authorities relaxed curfew for eight hours in the jurisdiction of 12 police stations in Srinagar from 9 AM and the relaxation period passed off peacefully.Meanwhile, witnesses said that nearly a dozen of civilians were injured after forces opened to fire and teargas canisters on protestors in South Kashmir’s Shopian district. “Forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who in return pelted stones on them near Vihil, Nowgam area of Shopian. Forces opened fire during which nearly a dozen of civilians were injured,” witnesses said.
They said that injured persons were shifted to District Hospital Shopian for treatment while three among the injured persons were referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment.Deputy Inspector General (DIG), South Kashmir Range, Ghulam Hassan Bhat told KNS that the situation remained peaceful throughout the day. “No reports of clashes were reported throughout the day,” he said. According to KNS correspondent, at least three youth were arrested by the police during the clashes between youth and forces in Hom village of Tangmarg.Earlier protesters blocked the main Khaipora road after which Police resorted to teargas shelling and aerial firing triggering clashes between youth and forces.Witnesses said that there were no reports of injury during the clashes.Meanwhile, reports said that protesters attacked MLA, Bandipore, Usman Majid’s official residence in Bandipora.Witnesses informed that dozens of youngsters reached near the MLA’s official residence and started pelting stones.
Prior to this incident the protesters had staged protests near Higher Secondary School, Kaloosa when clashes erupted between government forces and protesters resulting into the use of teargas, pellet firing and aerial firing to disperse the protesters.In north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, forces dispersed the people who tried to stage protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir triggering clashes in the areas during which a woman got injured. “Haseena, an injured woman was shifted to District Hospital Bandipora after pellets hit her arm and abdomen,” witnesses said.Meanwhile, clashes broke out in the late afternoon when forces entered into Malangam village and tore down the Pakistani flags, which were hoisted by the youth there. “Forces used tear gas canisters and pellets to disperse the protesting youth,” reports said.However, no reports of any injuries were received. Deputy Inspector General (DIG), North Kashmir Range, Uttam Chand told KNS that the situation remained peaceful throughout the day. “No clashes or protests were reported in north Kashmir,” he said. (KNS)