Curbs, shutdown cripple life in Valley
17 hurt in clashes; Fateh Kadal youth sustains bullet injuries
Ishfaq Mir
Srinagar, Sep 2: At least 17 persons were injured, two of them critically, in clashes between protesters and cops in Srinagar and Islamabad while life remained crippled across Valley owing to restrictions and shutdown on Thursday.
In Zaldagar in old city, two youth Reyaz Ahmad Balloo son of Manzoor Ahmad of New Fateh Kadal and Sajid Ahmad son of Abdul Rashid of Karfali Mohalla were injured when CRPF men opened fire to disperse protestors before Iftaar. The injured were rushed to SMHS hospital, where doctors are attending on them.
“Baloo has suffered abdomen injuries and his condition is critical,” doctors said.
In other parts of Srinagar, hundreds of police, CRPF and RAF men armed with riot gear guarded the deserted streets, lanes and by lanes to foil any attempt by people to stage pro-freedom demonstrations against the civilian killings.
The cops had laid barbed wires and placed barricades on roads and sealed important entry points to restrict movement of people and vehicles. Troops had placed armoured vehicles in the sensitive localities to foil protests.
The restrictions were more intense in old city. The locals alleged they were not allowed to come out of their houses. “Even children were not permitted to play in the parks,” they alleged.
Meanwhile, the condition of Yasir Rafiq, cousin of JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik continues to be critical. “He was again operated by a team of doctors in SKIMS today,” doctors said.
Curfew remained clamped in south Kashmir’s Islamabad town for the fourth consecutive day today.
Police had erected barricades at Khanabal entry point on the Srinagar-Jammu highway and other major entry points of the town to prevent the movement of people. Police and CRPF men were deployed in strength in the entire township.
“CRPF and police men prevented us from venturing out and offering prayers in mosques in Kadipora and other areas. The troops thrashed many persons, who ventured out of their houses to offer prayers,” the locals alleged.
They alleged that CRPF men went berserk and without any provocation barged into houses at Kadipora and Naibasti areas of old town. “The troops beat up inmates including women, ransacked the household goods and smashed the window panes. Four women were injured in the CRPF action,” they alleged.
However, people defied restrictions at Cheeni Chowk, Malakhnag, Janglat Mandi and Reeshi Bazar, K P road, Khanabal, Naibasti and Laizbal and staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom, pro-Islamic and anti-India slogans, the protestors were demanding action against the troopers involved in civilian killings. They clashed with police and CRPF men, who lobbed tear gas canisters and fired in air to disperse the protestors. At least six persons sustained injuries in the clashes.
Youth again took to streets in the evening at Lal Chowk, Khanabal and adjoining areas. The youth clashed with police and CRPF men, who used force to disperse them. The protesting youth retaliated by pelting stones and bricks towards them. At least five persons including some cops were injured in the clashes. The youth also pelted stones on Police station Sherbagh.
Reports of protests and clashes were also received from Mattan, Kulgam, Bijbehara, Qaimoh, Shopian, Pulwama, Kakapora, Pampore, Tral and Awantipora.
Meanwhile, the family members of the 11-year old Irshad Ahmad Parray who was killed in police action have appealed people of the town not to observe any strike on Friday, commemorating Irshad’s Chahrum (fourth day).
Peaceful protests were also held in various parts of the Valley. Reports said hundreds of people after offering Zuhar (noon prayers) staged peaceful pro-freedom demonstrations in Nagam, Chadura, Mochoua and Galwanpora areas of Budgam district.
In north Kashmir pro-freedom protests were held in Langate, Yunsoo, Tujjer, Kralgund, Bandipore and Kupwara townships. However, there were no reports of any untoward incident.
All shops, business establishments, government offices, banks and educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar and other parts of Valley in response to the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) in its last 10-day protest programme.
Police version
A police spokesman said situation in most parts of the Valley remained peaceful barring a couple of stone pelting incidents in Prichoo, Pulwama and Zaldagar in Srinagar. “While the miscreants were chased at Prichoo, a mob of miscreants attacked security forces at Zaldagar. The forces fired tear smoke shells to disperse the mob. However, the miscreants did not relent. The forces fired rubber pallets. Two persons Riyaz Ahmad Balloo son of Manzoor Ahmad resident of Fateh Kadal and Sajid Ahmad son of Abdul Rashid resident of Karfali Mohalla, Srinagar. The condition of both the persons is stated to be stable,” he said.
