Srinagar, Sep 26 (KNS): While the restrictions and shutdown continued on the 80th straight day in Kashmir, clashes and protests were reported in couple of areas today during which scores of people were injured.
The educational institutions, main markets, public transport and other businesses were suspended across the Valley on 80th day.
However there was a considerable movement of private transports in the uptown area of the summer capital including Lal Chowk, Ram Bagh, Dalgate, Jawahar Nagar, Rajbagh etc areas.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Srinagar’s Soura area.
Reports quoting local sources said that raising pro-freedom slogans, scores of youths blocked Soura-Ganderbal road near Maternity hospital in view of the shutdown call by the resistance leadership.
“No one was allowed to pass through the area by the protesting youth,” an eye witness said.
Later, reports said, forces appeared on the scene to clear the blockade when clashes erupted.
“The youths resisted and forces fired tear gas shells to disperse off the protestors,” the reports said.
The local reports said that youth resorted to stone pelting. “The forces have pushed youths towards Ountabawan.”
Sources said that people rose up in arms against the raids by forces. “Some youth have been arrested from the area and people came out in protest against the police action,” they said.
Meanwhile, reports of minor clashes were also reported from several areas including Noorbagh, Kani Kadal, and others during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who were pelting stones on them.
Meanwhile, reports of clashes were also erupted in HMT area during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.
Similar situation was reported from North Kashmir areas.
All the educational institutes, business establishments remained closed while the traffic was thin on roads.
According to reports, people from several areas of Zaingair including Warpora, Botengo, Shiva, Malmapanpora, Mundji held a freedom-cum-unity rally in Hatlangoo village in North Kashmir’s Sopore town.
Reports quoting eye witness said that hundreds of people attended the rally where pro-freedom slogans were raised.
Meanwhile, reports said that in this afternoon, forces appeared in the said village and fired teargas shells and pellets to disperse the people who were making arrangements for the rally.
Locals said that three persons were injured in the forces action and were referred to local clinics.
He said that last night, police raided Nowpora area of Sopore around 12:30 AM. They arrested an 11th class student identified as Ishfaq Majeed, s/o Ab Majeed Dar.
Meanwhile, in South Kashmir, a complete shutdown was observed in the districts.
All educational institutes, shops, business establishments and other establishments remained closed during the day.
Reports said that in Pazalpora area of South Kashmir, forces entered into the village and allegedly ransacked the residential houses and damaged vehicles as well.
Reports quoting residents said that the forces in the wee hours of this morning entered in the village and allegedly ransacked the residential house and damaged the vehicles as well.
They said that no protest was ongoing in the area but despite that forces ransacked the windowpanes of scores of residential house and other public property in the area.
Meanwhile, authorities continued to impose curfew in Kishtwar district for second consecutive day after clashes erupted in the area against what locals called arrest spree of Muslims.
Curfew was clamped in Kishtwar and adjoining areas on Sunday.
Police have arrested three persons, including two Imams and booked them under infamous Public Safety Act.
Authorities have accused them of insighting anti-India protests.
Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, situation remained normal and peaceful throughout the valley today.
According to the statement three CRPF personnel were injured when militants hurled a grenade on them in Kulgam this afternoon.
The statement said that during the day greater movement of vehicular traffic was observed in the valley including the Srinagar city.
It said 55 miscreants were arrested during past 24 hours from various parts of the Valley who are wanted in various offences of creating disruptions in normalcy.
Meanwhile, a separate statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Jammu said, the situation across Jammu region remained normal. “There was no report of any untoward incident. The authorities announced curfew relaxation in Kishtwar town from 1600 hours to 1800 hours,” it said. (KNS)