Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 29: Protests and clashes broke out in parts of Srinagar today after curfew was lifted for the first time since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month.
Authorities this morning lifted curfew from Srinagar’s old city and other areas except under the police station areas of Nowhatta and Maharaj Gunj and in Pulwama town.
With the lifting of curfew, there was movement of vehicles on Srinagar streets for the first time since July 8. However, protesters came out on streets of Srinagar areas and started protests.
Protesters pelted stones on private vehicles, erected barricades and also stoned security forces vehicles and deployment, leading to clashes at several places.
Clashes broke out at Sekkidafar, Nawa Kadal, Chhanapora, Magarmal Bagh, Eidgah, Safa Kadal, Rainawari, Saida Kadal, Batamaloo, Habba Kadal, Kani Kadal and Hawal areas of the city.
Following the clashes, the authorities imposed restrictions in some of these areas. Heavy deployments of forces were rushed to the troubled areas. Clashes erupted in the interiors of Batamaloo between security forces and stone throwing youth. Police fired teargas and chased away the protesters but they re-grouped and clashes continued for several hours. The authorities in the afternoon re-imposed curfew at Batamaloo.
As the protests and clashes broke out, the traffic movement across the city declined but situation remained peaceful in Lal Chowk and other Civil Line areas. The shops and commercial establishments, however, remained closed.
The clashes between protesters and security forces also erupted in Barsoo area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district this morning. Large number of protesters gathered and fought pitched battle with police and CRPF.
The protests also broke out at Mazhama area of Budgam district against the detention of a youth. In Budgam, several persons were injured in violent clashes between protesters and security forces at Chadoora.
In Krimshore area of Budgam district, security forces foiled a rally scheduled near Khansahab today. Security forces fired teargas in which several persons were injured.
Protests also broke out at Ajas, Kaloosa, Ashtengo and main town in Bandipora district today. At Kaloosa police and security forces fired teargas and pepper gas to foil the protests during which few people suffered minor injuries.
Protests were reported from Baramulla and Kupwara districts of North Kashmir today. They were also reported from Nadihal and Palhallan areas of district Baramulla.
In South Kashmir, the protests and clashes erupted at many places following lifting of curfew. Reports said that clashes erupted at Sangam and Bijbehara in Anantnag district. Protesters also erupted in Kulgam district.
According to an official statement issued by police, minor incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Sopore, Kupwara and Bandipora. “These incidents were reported from Guzarbal, Babademb, Saidpora, Batamaloo, Chanapora in Srinagar, Sangam in Anantnag Gandwani, Shol Batango in Kulgam, Nadihal Chowk in Sopore, Brambari, Rekhipora in Kupwara and Kaloosa in Bandipora,” the statement said and added that “some miscreants in their effort to disturb the situation pelted stones on police and security force deployments in these areas.”
“Except for these incidents, overall situation remained peaceful and under control throughout the Kashmir valley till filing of this report. Greater movement of traffic and people was observed across the Valley including the Srinagar city,” the statement added.
Meanwhile the curfew in parts of Valley and shutdown paralysed life for 52nd day today. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed.
The major roads in Kashmir remained blocked as protesters have erected barricades at several places.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla was disrupted for 52nd day today.
The prepaid mobile services and mobile internet services also remain blocked as precautionary measures to prevent violence.
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