Srinagar, Oct 09 (KNS): The Srinagar’s main business hub Lal Chowk and old town Friday witnessed clashes and shutdown when two miscreants allegedly tried to unfurl BJPs flag on the clock tower.
According to KNS correspondent as the news of hoisting, BJP flag on clock tower broke, the Lal Chowk and Maisuma witnessed clashes between forces and youth.
Reports said that shopkeepers of Lal chowk pull down their shutters and observed a shutdown.
“The youth assembled near clock tower and pelted stones on security forces,” Eye witnesses told KNS.
Reports said that Maisuma also witnessed clashes between forced and youth in which two persons were injured in the clashes.
Meanwhile reports said that violent protests erupted in Nowhatta areas of Srinagar after Friday prayers.
Scores said that as the Friday congregational prayers end in Jamia Masjid, scores of youth started raising slogans against India.
Sources said that Police swung into action and tried to disperse the protesters who pelted rocks on them resulting in clashes and raised pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans
According to sources in the civil lines area of the summer capital, police arrested many JKLF activists who tried to march towards Lal Chowk.
JKLF had announced a sit in against what it called choking of political space and communalizing the atmosphere by the government.
JKLF chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested yesterday ahead of the proposed sit in.
As police arrested JKLF activists, youth pelted stones on police and CRPF deployed in heavy numbers who used tear smoke shells against them.
A video journalist working with New Delhi based NEWS-X, Firdous Ahmad was injured in the clashes.
Reports said that he was hit by a stone on his head.
Meanwhile Separatist parties termed incident as provocative step and said that these are obvious consequences of BJP’s frustration who want to somehow disturb the communal harmony.
“Behaving like goons is not new for BJP. Thrashing people of one or the other community is very much in their agenda. We condemn the incident which has taken place today in lal Chowk,” Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz told KNS over phone.
Hurryat G spokesperson told KNS that the ideology of BJP was known to us right from the beginning. “It is a condemnable act. We had already cautioned the people of Jammu and Kashmir that this party would bring only destruction and violence to the state” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile people alleged that BJP Want to spread hatred and violence in the state. “It is unfortunate that this party wants to spread hatred and violence in the state. What was the need to unfurl BJP’s flag in clock tower Lal Chowk. Actually this party does not believe in peace and is well known for thrashing and lynching People of other communities,” one of the senior citizen told KNS. (KNS)