Fresh clashes continued for the third day today in parts of Srinagar’s Old City where restrictions were imposed in wake of the call for protests given by the joint resistance leadership (JRL).Reports reaching news gathering agency Global News Service said that strict restrictions were imposed in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Mahraj Gunj, Khanyar and Rainawari.Government forces enforced restrictions and kept a tight vigil to thwart any attempt of people to stage protests in response to the call given by JRL. Due to the curbs, no prayers were offered for the second consecutive Friday in the historic Jamia Masjid of Nowhatta, reports said.Senior JRL leader and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq lashed out the government for imposing restrictions"2nd consecutive Juma &15th of the year when Friday prayers barred at #JamaMasjid.Strict curfew imposed, people made hostages in their own homes in #ShahreKhas. No peaceful expression of protest against atrocities &injustices allowed, No law in the land except the law of #StateMight," Mirwaiz wrote on his Twitter handle.
However, despite restrictions, groups of youth after Friday prayers took to streets in Soura, Safa Kadal, Nowhatta, Nawa Kadal, Zaldagar and other areas of the Old City and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations.“The protesters hurled rocks at the government forces who responded with tear smoke shells. The pitched battles continued till late evening leaving a few people injured,” the report said.Meanwhile, a peaceful rally was taken out by the JRL in Maisuma locality of the city against the alleged atrocities of the government forces. The protesters led Sheikh Abdul Rashid denounced the alleged human rights violations in the Valley.“India claims to be the largest democracy but in reality, they have crossed all limits of human rights violations in Kashmir,” Rashid said.Meanwhile, class work in all educational institutions, including Kashmir University remained suspended today amid fears of protests against the killings of militants and civilian in recent encounters. (GNS)