Curfew, restrictions and shutdown continued on 78th straight day in Kashmir on Saturday while the clashes and protests were reported in several parts of Kashmir throughout the day.However, following the call given by the separatist leaderships, City-centre areas at 06:00 pm witnessed considerable increase in movement of private vehicles while the commercial hub Lal Chowk and other adjacent areas wore a colourful look. The shops and other business establishments opened at commercial hub and other areas. The stretch from Polo View to Ghanta Ghar saw a huge rush of people from 06:00 pm.
Meanwhile, amid curfew, restrictions and shutdown clashes and protests were reported in several areas during the day.However, a top police officials told KNS that curfew and restrictions were imposed several areas in Kashmir to thwart any possible protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir.Meanwhile, according to KNS correspondent, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Kani Kadal, Chota bazaar area of Srinagar during which forces used several tear gas canisters to disperse the agitating youth in the area.
Witnesses said that the youth had earlier erected temporary barricades to stop the vehicular movement in the area and were checking the identity proofs of the commuters as well. “However, in the late evening hours, forces resorted to tear gas shells to disperse the youth who in return pelted stones on them,” witnesses said.They said that the clashes were ongoing in the area till late evening hours.Meanwhile, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Noorbagh area of Srinagar during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.Reports of clashes of clashes were also reported from several central Kashmir areas during the day.Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in central Kashmir areas during the day.Reports aid that all shops, schools, business establishments, and other establishments remained closed throughout the day.Similar reports were reported from north Kashmir areas during which clashes and protests were also reported.
Meanwhile, thousands of people attended the funeral prayers of Waseem Ahmad Lone who was killed in forces’ firing on Friday evening.Amid tears and sobs the slain youth was laid to rest into a grave at his ancestral village of Bunpora in Nadihal area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.Reports said that the prayers were led by his father Nazir Ahmad Lone at a school ground in the locality.Lone, according to his family and witnesses, was killed after forces opened “unprovoked” fire on him while he was harvesting crops in his fields at Nadihal area of Rafiabad.Reports said that earlier today, thousands of people assembled on Baramulla-Kupwara highway with the body of Lone to take part in a peace march.Amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the body of Lone was then marched to the school ground for last rites.Meanwhile, following the killing of youth in the district, the residents as per reports said that their cellphone services were suspended by the authorities last night.“Only BSNL phones are working. All private mobile phone services have been barred without any reason or explanation,” reports quoting a Sopore resident said.
Meanwhile, reports said that curfew was today imposed in Handwara town of north Kashmir to thwart any possible protests against the civilian killing in Nadihal area of Baramulla. Meanwhile, the authorities today said that in order to prevent people to protest near counter-insurgency operation sites, authorities have decided to impose restriction under Section 144 Cr.PC on the movement of people within the radius of 3 km from any such spot in district Baramulla to prevent any casualty as security forces had to open fire and burst teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators near encounter sites.
According to the District Magistrate (DM) Baramulla, restrictions on the movement of people within the radius of 3 km from counter-insurgency operation sites has been imposed under the section 144 Cr.PC in the district with immediate effect.Meanwhile, in South Kashmir, a complete shutdown was observed throughout the day while clashes erupted between youth and forces in few areas as well.
Reports said that at least four civilians were injured when forces fired tear gas canisters and fired pellets to foil a pro-freedom rally in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district.Reports said that people of Shangus and its adjoining areas had planned a pro-freedom rally in the premises of Markaz-i-Jamia Masjid Shangus.“But forces raided our village around 5:30 AM and sealed all routes leading to the freedom rally venue,” reports quoting locals said.They said that people from, adjoining areas tried to march towards Shangus but forces stopped them.“It was a peaceful march but forces started firing tear gas canisters and pellets resulting in clashes,” the eye witnesses said.“Clashes intensified in adjacent Bongam in which at least four persons were injured due to pellets,” they added.The locals said that three injured civilians were rushed to PHC Nowgam. However, a doctor at the health facility said that they received only one person who was hit by pellets on his back.The locals further said that the forces damaged a 100 KV electricity transformer. “While leaving the village forces damaged several residential houses and made a few arrests made,” the local said adding that people erupted in protests seeking immediate release of the arrested civilians.
Meanwhile, reports said that a private restaurant-cum-guest house was damaged allegedly by forces on late Friday night.Reports said that the forces party threw stones and damaged the doors, windows and furniture of the hotel,” reports quoting the owner of the restaurant said.However, he said, “they could not enter the hotel as it was locked but damaged done by forces range from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh.”“The forces action was completely unprovoked,” he said.Meanwhile, locals in Verinag held protests against the “atrocities” done by forces in the locality.People assembled on roads and raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans during the protests.Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, the overall situation across the Kashmir valley remained under control and peaceful today. “There was no untoward incident reported from any part of the valley,” it said.According to the statement as a precautionary measure restrictions were imposed in three police station areas of the Srinagar city, Handwara and Chadoora area of Budgam district.“Greater movement of the vehicular traffic was observed across the valley including Srinagar city. Shops in some areas of Srinagar city were also open as also in some other parts of the valley,” it said.The statement said that police, during past 24 hours, arrested 39 miscreants wanted in the offences of creating disruption in traffic movement by stone pelting and by placing obstructions on roads and lanes, harassing shops keepers and also found involved in damaging public/private property. (KNS)