Strike, protests, restrictions continue

greaterkashmir.com

Demos In Srinagar, Islamabad, Shopian, Kulgam, Bandipora

Srinagar, July 28: Government imposed strict restrictions in several parts of the Valley including old city here on Wednesday to thwart the sit-in demonstrations called by Hurriyat Conference (G). Elsewhere, valley remained shut amidst protests at many places including civil lines of the city.

Anticipating sit-in demonstrations on the call of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani as part of “Quit Jammu and Kashmir Campaign,” strict restrictions were imposed in old city areas falling under the jurisdiction of police stations Nowhatta, Khanyar, Maharajgunj, Safa Kadal and Rainawari. The forces didn’t allow any civilian movement in downtown localities, however the residents of Saida Kadal staged protests against the thrashing of three civilians by policemen.

In uptown areas, restrictions were also imposed in Maisuma and Bemina by deploying large continent of police and CRPF troopers.

Youth staged pro-freedom demonstrations in civil lines areas of Rambagh and Barzulla this morning. Police and paramilitary CRPF troopers fired teargas canisters to disperse the protesting youth, however they offered stiff resistance and pelted stones in retaliation.

Raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, scores of youth took to streets in Natipora and burnt tyres on the roads. The locals alleged that CRPF troopers went berserk and damaged three motorbikes in Solina area of civil lines after stone-pelting by youth.

Complete shutdown was observed in north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Bandipora and Varmul districts as shops and other business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads.

In Bandipora, people staged sit-ins at Naidkhai and Hajin areas of Sonawari. Amid complete shutdown in south Kashmir, restrictions were imposed in the old town Islamabad to stop people from staging sit-ins. Fierce clashes erupted in Kadipora, Mattan Chowk, Dangerpora and Iqbal Market of the town late evening.

Police and CRPF troopers fired numerous teargas canisters to quell the protests which were continuing when this report was filed. The CRPF troopers also broke window panes of several vehicles during the clashes, locals said.

Complete shutdown was also observed in towns of Pulwama, Shopian, Tral, Pampore, Awantipora and Kakapora. Authorities deployed police and paramilitary CRPF troopers in several areas of the twin districts. The youth also staged dharna at Bonagam Shopain.

The residents of Khudwani Kulgam alleged that police detained two youth and used force on protesters, seeking their release, leaving two civilians wounded. The youth were released late in the night.

Valley shut; many hurt in demos, clashes

Rising Kashmir News

Govt sticks to use of force

Sit-in plan curbed; siege in downtown, countryside restricted

Srinagar, July 28: Authorities again imposed restrictions in some parts of Srinagar to foil Hurriyat (G’s) protest call while the shutdown coupled with siege by troopers crippled the life in Valley on Wednesday.

Many persons were injured in the clashes between the cops and angry young men.

Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani in its fifth phase of ‘Quit Kashmir Campaign’ had asked people to stage peaceful sit-in demonstrations across the Valley on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hundreds of police and CRPF men were deployed in old town and uptown Srinagar to thwart protests and sit-ins. The cops had laid siege around Nowhatta, Gojwara, Hawal, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Kawdara, Safa Kadal, Rainwari, Khanyar, Eidgah, Nawab Bazar and other areas in old city. They had placed barricades and concertina at many places in Srinagar to restrict movement of people.

In uptown city, youth took to roads at Rambagh, Natipora, Machwa and Kralpora areas and staged demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom, pro-Islamic and anti-India slogans, the protestors burnt tyres on the roads and were demanding action against the police and CRPF men involved in killing of youth. They were also demanding release of the arrested youth. The protestors clashed with the cops, who fired tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge. The clashes continued for some time. Some persons sustained minor injuries in the clashes.

The restrictions were also imposed in north Kashmir’s Sopore and Baramulla towns. However, defying restrictions people mostly youth took to streets at Palhalan. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters tried to take out a rally and march towards Pattan. However, they were intercepted by police and CRPF men near the shrine of Baba Teng and asked to disperse. They later dispersed off peacefully.

Youth also took to roads at Azad Gunj and staged staged pro-freedom demonstrations.

In South Kashmir’s Islamabad district, police and CRPF were deployed in strength. However, clashes broke out between youth and cops at Iqbal Market, Dangarpora, Mattan Chowk, Dadipora in the evening when the cops were leaving the places. Some persons including the cops sustained minor injuries during the clashes, which continued till late evening.

The clashes also took place at Lazibal and Gulshanabad areas along the KP road. Two CRPF men and some protestors were injured in the clashes.

Residents of Khudwani, Kulgam alleged that STF men arrested four persons during nocturnal raids. All the markets wore a deserted look and educational institutes, business establishments, government and private offices, banks, petrol pumps and financial institutes remained closed while traffic was off the roads

~ par Alain Bertho sur 29 juillet 2010.

Publié dans émeutes, riots