Kashmir indien : affrontements dans plusieurs villes – 29 octobre 2010

Curfew in parts, clashes in Delina, Pulwama

RisingKashmir.com

Srinagar, Oct 29: Although Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani had called for no strike on Friday, the authorities, fearing series of protests after the congregational prayers imposed curfew in old city and many other parts of the Valley.

The curfew was imposed in the old city areas of Rainawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safakadal and Maharajgunj.

Hundreds of police and paramilitary CRPF men armed with riot gears enforced curfew in the old city areas. The cops had erected blockades at Kathi Darwaza, Zindshah Masjid, Khanyar, Nowpora, Baba Demb and other road links leading to the volatile areas of old city. They did not allow people to venture out of their homes in Nowhatta and adjoining areas and offer Friday prayers in historic Jamia Masjid.

Dr Saiqa Shah of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) hospital alleged that a police officer harassed her at Khanyar when she was on way to the Rainawari hospital. “I was on way to the hospital when the police party intercepted me. Despite my repeated pleas, they didn’t allow me to go ahead and a senior officer even misbehaved with me,” she alleged.

SP City (North) Showket Hussian said the area was under curfew and the police had kept an alternate route open for people to move. “We were doing routine duty and everyone knew that Khanyar was under curfew and movement was restricted. The lady doctor could have easily taken the Dalgate-Nowpora route to reach the hospital but she opted to come from the Baba Demb road,” Hussain said.

Authorities had also imposed curfew in Bandipora town, Ajas, Saderkote Bala, Kupwara town, Trehgam and Kralpora areas of North Kashmir to prevent people from taking to roads and staging demonstrations. The curfew was relaxed after 5 pm and people were allowed to resume normal activities.

Barring old city areas, situation across Srinagar remained normal as shops, business establishments, government offices, educational institutions, banks and schools remained open and all kinds of traffic was on the roads.

Meanwhile, in curfew-hit North Kashmir’s Baramulla town, people took out a procession at Delina after Friday prayers. Chanting pro-freedom, pro-Islamic and anti-India slogans, the protestors were demanding action against the police and paramilitary troopers involved in civilian killings. The protestors were intercepted by police and CRPF men, triggering clashes during which cops lobbed tear gas canisters and resorted to heavy baton charge. At least two persons were injured in the clashes.

The protestors also tried to block vehicular movement on Srinagar-Baramulla highway. However, they were dispersed by the police and CRPF men. Later, authorities strictly enforced curfew in the area.

People also defied curfew in Ajas, Ajar, Sumbal, Saderkote Bala of Bandipora district and took out pro-freedom processions. They clashed with police and CRPF men, who used force to disperse them. The clashes continued for some time.

Reports said that a Hurriyat (G) activist identified as Jaleel was arrested by police from his residence at Watpora, Bandipora.

The protests and clashes erupted in Pulwama and Shopian after the Friday prayers.
Police and CRPF men lobbed dozens of tear smoke shells and resorted to heavy baton charge to disperse stone pelting youth at Murran Chowk, Pulwama. The clashes continued for some time during which some persons including a policeman was injured.

Hundreds of people took out a procession after Friday prayers from Chatpora, Jamia Masjid. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protestors were demanding release of the arrested youth and punishment to the police and CRPF men involved in killing of 110 civilians. Police and CRPF men intercepted the processionists near Deputy Commissioner’s office and lobbed tear gas shells towards them. Some of the youth from the crowd hurled stones and bricks towards them. The two sides fought pitched battles for some time.

Meanwhile, police arrested five youth from Shopian.

Five miscreants arrested in Shopian. Three of them were identified as Nazir Ahmed Lone son of Ali Mohammad Lone, Suhail Lone and Mukthar.

A police spokesman while confirming the arrest of the five youth termed them as miscreants, who were involved in a number of stone pelting incidents.