Srinagar: Police on Friday said that all those youths who “create mess after Friday prayers in Nowhatta” area, have been identified. “We have identified these miscreants and soon they will face the music,” the official said.
Pertinently, clashes and pro-freedom protests were witnessed in different parts of Kashmir Valley including capital city Srinagar on Friday.
Protests and clashes erupted in Nowhatta area of Srinagar city shortly after the congregational Friday prayers. Eyewitnesses said that scores of youth waving green flags clashed with government forces who retaliated with tear-smoke shells. The intense clashes left many people injured.
Pertinently, resistance leadership had called off the strike in wake of the Mahashivratri festival. There was no strike, however owing to the official holiday and festival, thin vehicular movement was observed on the roads.
Clashes erupted between pro-freedom protesters and forces in north Kashmir’s Sopore town after congregational Friday prayers. Reports said that groups of youth tried to take a march from Jamia Masjid area, amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, but were stopped by the government forces which were deployed in strength. As the forces barred the youth to take out a march, stone hurling clashes ensued in the area. Forces responded by firing teargas shells to disperse the protesters.
A peaceful protest was also carried out at Soiteng Padshahibagh in Srinagar. The protesters carrying placards and banners demanded release of detainees languishing in different state and outside jails.
Reports said that a massive protest rally was carried out at Frisal area of Kulgam town. Amid pro-freedom slogans the protesters marched lanes and bylanes of the district and offered special prayers for the militants and civilians killed in different encounters in Valley. The protest rally was led by senior separatist leader Abdul Samad Inqalabi.
A minor incident of stone-pelting was reported from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Reports said that a group of youth pelted stones on a police party near Muran Chowk. (CNS)
