Kashmir DAY 91

DAY 91: Govt foils ‘UN Chalo’ with curfew

60 injured in fresh clashes across Kashmir | Hit by pellets, Srinagar boy battles for life at SKIMS | Sonwar shrine locked to prevent public gathering | No prayers at Jamia Masjid for

13th Friday | 56 more arrested in 24 hours: Police

ABID BASHIR/ KHALID GUL

At least 60 people sustained injuries in clashes that broke out across Kashmir after Friday prayers, even as police foiled the joint resistance leadership’s call for a march to UN office in Srinagar with curfew and full force, reports and witnesses said. A 12-year-old boy was seriously injured at Eidgah Srinagar after he was hit by pellets in the forces’ action and his condition was stated as critical at SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura.

SRINAGAR

The 12-year-old boy from Saidapora area of Eidgah sustained grave pellet injuries in his head and chest in the forces’ action, witnesses said. The boy identified as Junaid Ahmed was immediately removed to SKIMS, Soura in a critical condition. A doctor there said they have admitted Junaid in the ICU where his condition is serious.

Clashes broke out in various areas of Srinagar after forces were withdrawn in the evening. Reports said intense clashes broke out at Eidgah, Safa Kadal, Maharaj Gunj, Nawa Kadal,

Sekidafar, Kaka Sarai, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Saraf Kadal and Chattabal areas. Reports of protests also came in from Hyderpora, Peerbagh, Nowgam, Lasjan and Soiteng areas. 10 youth sustained injuries in clashes in Srinagar areas, they said. Meanwhile, curfew was imposed in areas falling under jurisdiction of seven police stations in Srinagar to foil the “UN chalo” called by the joint resistance leadership. Witnesses said the revered shrine of Syed Yaqoob (RA) at Sonwar—just outside the UN office—was padlocked to prevent large gathering of people. After increased movement of private vehicles for six days, roads across Srinagar wore a deserted look on Friday.  “Curfew was imposed as a precautionary measure in seven police station areas of Srinagar city,” a police official said. These include Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Maisuma and Batamaloo. Meanwhile, authorities disallowed Friday congregational prayers at historic Jamia Masjid for 13th consecutive week.

SOUTH KASHMIR

Amid restrictions, at least 15 people sustained injuries as protests and clashes erupted in many areas of South Kashmir after Friday prayers. Reports said forces went on rampage in Tral Payeen area of Tral in the morning, resulting in assault injuries to several inmates. “The forces without any provocation barged into houses, ransacked household goods and smashed windowpanes,” witnesses said. They said the forces also severely beat up inmates including women as a result of which at least six people sustained injuries. The incident triggered massive protests in Tral after Friday prayers. Clashes also erupted in Tahab village of Puwama after Friday prayers.“Forces lobbed shells and fired pellets to disperse the protesting youth,” witnesses said. They said at least four people sustained injuries. Huge pro-freedom protest demonstrations were also taken out from Aarihal, Kakpora and Pampore areas of Pulwama district after Friday prayers. The demos, however, concluded peacefully. Forces also foiled Sallar-Pahlagam pro-freedom march called by locals. “Forces had erected barricades at various places to stop people from marching towards the area,” witnesses said. They said the forces also smashed windowpanes of houses and also arrested four youth. Clashes also erupted in the area, resulting in minor injuries to two people. Restrictions were put in place at in all small and major towns—Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Pampore, Awantipora, Bijbehara, Mattan, Qazigund and Kakapora.  In the meantime, hundreds of people after Friday prayers carried out a protest rally against the arrests made by police in Ruhamoo area of Pulwama. Carrying placards and banners, the protesters were raising slogans against the government for arresting some youth in the area. The peaceful protest started from Markazi Jamia Masjid and concluded at main Chowk Ruhamoo. “They were demanding release of a Hurriyat activist Manzoor Bagat and many others who were arrested by police from the area,” locals said. Reports said roads at Chewa Kalan and Muran were blocked by youth since morning and no vehicle was allowed to move. Protest rallies were also held at many interior areas of the district. In Pulwama town, section 144 was imposed by the district
administration to thwart any attempt at protests. A complete strike was observed in the entire district. A thin movement of private transport was seen on some roads.

NORTH KASHMIR

Reports said joint Friday congregational prayers were offered at Qadeem Eidgah in old town Baramulla. Soon after prayers, a massive pro-freedom protest march was taken out from
the Eidgah. As the protestors reached near Lakarhamam, police from across a river lobbed scores of teargas shells towards the protesting youth. Later, a contingent of police raided the area, triggering clashes. Meanwhile, police and paramilitary forces cordoned the area near Government Degree College (Boys) in the evening. Reports said after noticing “some suspicious movement near a hotel building”, police fired some shots in the air and laid a siege. Intense clashes broke out at Khanpora and Cement Bridges in Baramulla while forces were being withdrawn from duties. Reports said clashes broke out in old town Baramulla in Mohalla Jamia where eight people sustained injuries. Witnesses said forces allegedly torched a motorbike at Kakarhama. Police fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse the protestors in which five youth sustained injuries. Clashes were on till late evening.

Reports from Sopore said soon after Friday prayers, clashes erupted after forces allegedly vandalized the venue of a proposed freedom rally. Five people sustained injuries in the forces’ action at Doabgah village. Clashes also erupted after thousands of people took out a pro-freedom rally at Jamia Masjid Sopore and New Colony Sopore.

Forces fired pellets and teargas shells to disperse the protestors in which at least 20 people sustained injuries. Protests after Friday prayers were held in many areas of Sopore that include Zainageer, Muslim Peer, Chanakhan, Botengoo, Warpora, Bomia, and Syedpora. Police foiled a pro-freedom rally in Gulshan Chowk area after Friday congregational prayers.

Reports from Bandipora district said police foiled a pro-freedom rally in Gulshan Chowk area after Friday prayers. Witnesses said soon after Friday prayers people from Plan, Nibripora,

Nusoo and Nowpora areas were trying to assemble in Gulshan Chowk, but police foiled their attempt by resorting to teargas shelling, triggering brief clashes. Sources said several resistance leaders were supposed to address the rally. They said youths clashed with police by hurling stones and rocks at them in Plan area who responded by firing several teargas shells and pellets. Meanwhile, residents of Ajas, Bazipora and Chimpenzpora villages held a peaceful rally after culmination of Friday congregational prayers amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. The protestors blocked Bandipora-Srinagar highway, demanding release of youths who were picked up by police last night in Ajas village. They alleged that police have picked up innocent youth and framed them as stone-pelters. The protestors later dispersed peacefully. Reports said pro-freedom rallies were held in Binlipora, Khayar,

Lawaypora, Saderkoot Bala, Ashtengoo and Ajar villages. The rallies, however, culminated peacefully. Witnesses said clashes also erupted in Hajin town after Friday prayers.

CENTRAL KASHMIR

Clashes broke out at Beerwah, Narbal, Kawoosa areas of Budgam district in which five youth sustained injuries. In Beerwah, clashes erupted after Friday prayers in which two youth
sustained injuries. Mild clashes were reported from Kawoosa and Narbal. Clashes erupted at Ompora and Chadoora areas too.

Meanwhile, reports from Ganderbal said a complete shutdown was observed in the district while pro-freedom rallies were staged in Beehama. The protesters, however, were pushed

back. Locals said authorities didn't allow Friday congregational prayers in Jamia Masjid Beehama at main town Ganderbal for straight 13th Friday.

POLICE VERSION

According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, in view of the UN Chalo call given by “some separatist organizations and also the violence resorted to by miscreants on last few Fridays, curfew was imposed in few Police Stations of Srinagar city as a precautionary measure.” The statement said that during the day “eleven incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Baramulla and Sopore. The situation remained under control and there was no report of any untoward incident. Meanwhile, continuing with its efforts to neutralize the activities of the miscreants and hooligans, 56 persons found involved in different crimes of creating public disorder have been arrested during the last 24 hours.”

(With inputs from Altaf Baba, Eijaz-ul-Haq Bhat, Showkat Dar, Ghulam Muhammad)