Authorities on Friday foiled ‘Jamia Masjid chalo’ march of resistance leadership by imposing strict curfew in Old City while anti-India clashes and protests broke out in Valley during which one youth was hit by bullet in his neck at Beerwah in Budgam district.The joint resistance leadership had asked people to march towards Jamia Masjid in Old City’s Nowhatta area to break siege of Grand Mosque but authorities imposed strict curfew in entire downtown areas falling under five police station areas. Since early morning, thousands of police and CRPF men were deployed all across Srinagar and all roads leading to Jamia Masjidwere sealed with concertina wires.Due to strict curfew, the Friday prayers couldn’t be offered at Jamia Masjid once again. According to locals, the forces didn’t allow them to venture out of their homes. Some locals of Old City alleged that forces didn’t allow them to move towards mosques to offer Friday prayers. In areas like Habba Kadal, Kani Kadal, Gaw Kadal and Maisuma, restrictions were imposed on the movement of people.
The other areas of city were also under thick security blanket.Amid strict restrictions, protests and clashes broke out at several places in Valley including in Srinagar after Friday prayers. Massive clashes erupted between youth and government forces at Rawalpora, Zainakote, Sabzi Mandi Soura and Pamposh Colony Noorbagh areas of Srinagar. Police lobbed teargas shells and used pellets to disperse the protesters. These areas rattled with explosion of teargas shells. The clashes were also reported from many Old City areas after withdrawal of curfew.The clashes and protests amid restrictions and lockdown were reported other districts of Valley. At Harde Panzu in Beerwah area of Budgam district, one local youth namely Showkat Sheikh was critically injured after he was hit by forces’ bullet in his neck during anti-India clashes. The youth was initially shifted to Khansahab Hospital wherefrom he was referred to SMHS Hospital. His condition is stated to be critical.In north Kashmir, clashes erupted at Sumlar and Main Town in Bandipora district, Old Town, Palhallan, Dooru Sopore and Ladoora Rafiabad in Baramulla district, Langate in Kupwara district.
Similar clashes were reported from central Kashmir’s Kangan area of Ganderbal district. The south Kashmir’s Seer Hamdan in Anantnag district, Hatmora, Tahab, Newa and Litter in Pulwama district also witnessed clashes after Friday prayers.In the evening, car of PDP leader, Umar Kumar, was set ablaze by unknown persons at Chinkral Mohalla Habba Kadal area of Old City. A police spokesman while detailing the situation of Friday said: “Situation remained under control throughout Kashmir today till filling of this report. In view of Jamia Masjid Chalo call given by some separatist organizations restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure in some parts of Srinagar.”He said after Friday prayers some stone pelting incidents were reported from Srinagar, Pulwama, Kulgam and Sopore. “At these places miscreants after Friday prayers assembled and pelted stones on Police and security force deployments. They were chased away. In Pulwama, miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb on police and security force deployment in Pirchoo area. However, no one was injured in this incident. Police has taken cognizance of the incident,” he said.(GNS)