Protests, clashes mark day, two photo journalists injured
Srinagar, Feb 03 : A complete shutdown was observed on Friday across the Valley following the call given by the separatist leadership against the death sentence to a Kashmiri youth by a Bengal court.
The shutdown call was given by the joint resistance leaders including Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik in their 15 day long protest calendar. They had also called for protests after Friday prayers.
All the shops, petrol pumps, business establishments and other establishments remained closed throughout the day while the traffic was thin on roads.
Meanwhile, as soon as the Friday prayers ended in the local Masjid’s, people at various places came on roads and staged demonstration.
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leaders assembled at Maisuma and staged protest. The protesters were chanting anti-government slogans.
Meanwhile, as soon as the Friday congregational prayers ended at Jami Masjid Srinagar, clashes erupted between youth and forces in the area during which forces resorted to tear smoke shells to disperse the aggrieved youth.
Reports said that a petrol bomb was hurled by the aggrieved youth during the clashes due to which a paramilitary trooper sustained injuries.
Two photo journalists Irfan Ahmad of PTI and Farooq Javid of Rising Kashmir were injured at Nowhatta clashes between government forces and civilians.
In north Kashmir’s Sopore area, reports of clashes were also reported between youth and forces.
Reports said that the forces used tear gas shells to disperse the youth who were throwing stones on them.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat (M) chairman and Jamia Masjid head cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who was scheduled o carry out a rally against the death penalty to a Kashmiri youth was placed under house arrest.
A Hurriyat (M) leader said that a large contingent of police was deployed outside the Nigeen residence of Mirwaiz who didn’t allow him to reach Jamia Masjid today. (KNS)