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Jamia Masjid march foiled, strict curfew in most parts of Kashmir

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 7/30/2016 12:19:34 AM

SRINAGAR, Jul 29: The authorities today foiled the march to Jamia Masjid called by separatists by imposing strict curfew in most parts of Kashmir and detaining senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Despite the restrictions, demonstrations were held and protest marches taken out at several places. This led to clashes between protestors and police and security forces. Reports said security forces opened fire on protestors at two places. Normal life continued to remain paralysed for the 21st consecutive day today in view of a general strike called by separatist.
Reports said four civilian protesters sustained injuries in Trehgam, four in Gushe when security forces opened fire on the protestors in the localities. Two others were injured in Kuligam area of Lolab. Some among the injured persons were shifted to Kupwara hospital while some were referred to Srinagar’s SMHS hospital, reports added.
Due to the ‘Jamia Masjid Chalo’ call by separatists, the authorities imposed curfew in most parts of Valley. Heavy deployment of police and security forces was made in the curfew bound areas of Srinagar city and other towns and major villages. They had sealed the affected areas and blocked the main roads and bridges with barbed and heavy vehicles.
Protest demonstration was held at Dalgate area after Friday prayers. The protestors moved towards UN Military Observers Group office at Sonawar here to present a memorandum. As they reached near the office, police and security forces swooned into action. They lobbed smoke shells and resorted to lathi-charge. The protestors pelted stones.
Locals from different areas of Srinagar city including Habakadal, Noorbagh, Eidgah and Chattabal alleged that CRPF went on rampage last night and damage property of people.
Locals at Barsoo Ganderbal alleged that security men barged into the house during the middle of the night and beat up women. Two protesters were injured at Safapora Ganderbal when police resorted to tear-gas shelling to disperse them. The local youth had assembled on road to stage protest.
Clashes erupted in different areas of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district leaving at least 13 people including eight policemen injured. Reports said clashes erupted in Pandach, Mala Shahi Bagh, Tulmula, Rangil, Beehama and Chek Fathepora. An Inspector Muhammad Rafiq, SPO of DySP Operations and six other cops were injured in these clashes.
Two youth, according to eyewitnesses, were apprehended by Army men from 5 Rashtriya Rifles when they entered Kurhama village of Ganderbal. Witnesses said that the duo were relaxing on the shop front when Army whisked them away. The detention of youth sparked protest in the area.
A candle light march was held in Anantnag district last night. Nocturnal protests erupted in many parts of Kashmir last night. People marched across the old city holding mashaals. Residents of Anantnag town staged a candle light last evening. Reports of similar protests were received from Dooru Anantnag area.
Some police officials were injured in violent clashes in different parts of Kulgam and Anantnag. Reports of clashes were received from Dooru. A policeman Ghulam Hasan was injured when a police shell hit him while chasing away protesters. Two cops were wounded while one of them received injuries in face after protesters hurled a petrol bomb towards them at Chowalgam Kulgam.
A police official identified the injured cops as Rizwan Ahmed Baba and Muhammad Rafiq Bodha. At least six CRPF personnel were injured in clashes at Qazigund. During the clashes SHO Manzoor Ahmed and SDPO Qazigund Khalid Ahmed were also injured. Two civilians Irshad Ahmed Dar and Muhammad Asif were injured when agitated protesters clashed with security forces at Muhammadpora Kulga.
Stone-pelting incidents were also reported from Sangam, Bijbehara and Kokarnag area of Anantnag district. Reports said that among the four injured one was referred to District Hospital Anantnag after pellets hit his eyes at Koimouh Wanpu area of Kulgam district. Meanwhile peaceful processions were taken out in Yaripora and Yesu Ashmoji Kulgam.
In Pulwama district people held late evening protests against the civilian killings. They marched through localities in peripheries of Pulwama.
Police once again detained the Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani outside his Hyderpora residence when he defied the curfew and tried marching towards Jamia Masjid in old city, reports said.
As soon as Geelani stepped out of his Hyderpora residence a huge contingent of Police told him he cannot move out and arrested him. Before his arrest, Geelani while talking to media persons impressed upon people to exhibit steadfastness to carry forward the ongoing movement.
“I appeal and stress upon people to remain persistent and steadfast so that the current movement can be taken forward successfully,” Geelani said adding “we will not budge even an inch this time as we have already sacrificed nearly sixty dear ones so it is high time for India to accept Kashmir as a dispute and start the process of its resolution.”
Police also detained the Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq outside his Nageen residence here. Mirwaiz defied the curfew this afternoon and tried marching towards Jamia Masjid in old city, reports said. As Mirwaiz stepped out a huge posse of Police took him into custody and prevented him from moving towards historic Jamia Masjid in old city.
Almost all the districts of Kashmir region reeled under curfew. Defying curfew people shortly after Friday congregational prayers took out processions in length and breadth of Valley. A procession was taken out in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Clashes erupted in different parts of Pattan town including Hanjivera. Authorities had imposed strict curfew in the town however people defied curfew and clashed with the police.
Reports from South Kashmir said that a peaceful protest rally was held in over 100 vehicles which included bikes, cars and tippers in Nehama, Pampore area of Pulwama district across Wanpora, Parigam, Larve, Marvel, Khadermoh and Sathar. The rally peacefully returned to the village but security forces according to reports resorted to tear-smoke shelling creating panic in the area.
In Shopian district a procession emerged from Wahil village that reportedly attacked a security camp located at Chowdary Gund. The protesters pelted stones on the Army camp while in retaliation the security men fired tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters. At Ladiyar Tral seven protesters were injured in clashes with government forces. Locals alleged that CRPF damaged the windowpanes of more than 12 residential houses without any provocation.
A procession was taken out from Daral-uloom Tral. The protesters clashed with police and pelted stones. Police retaliated with tear-smoke shells. The clashes continued for hours there. Reports said that angry protesters attacked CRPF camp at Tahab Pulwama leading to violent clashes between the protesters and security forces. Clashes between security forces and protestors were also reported from Rangreth and Rawalpora areas also.