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Clashes at Nowhatta after Friday prayers

MAJID NABI. Dated: 5/26/2018 3:56:32 PM

SRINAGAR, May 25: Clashes broke out between youth and government forces at Nowhatta area in the old city this afternoon leaving at least thirty persons injured in police action.
Witnesses said that as soon as Friday congregational prayers concluded at historic Jama Masjid, hundreds of youth amid pro-freedom sloganeering assembled outside central mosque and then started marching towards the main road.
The moment marchers reached near the main entrance of Jama Masjid, contingents of police deployed in advance intercepted them triggering violent clashes.
The agitating youth according to witnesses hurled stones on police and paramilitary forces who in return lobbed dozens of tear smoke shells and showered pellets resulting injuries to at least thirty persons.
Witnesses alleged that police barged into mosque and fired tear smoke shells and pepper gas that left scores of worshippers unconscious due to suffocation. Police later locked main gate of Jamia Masjid leaving worshippers trapped inside.
Most of youth were injured due to pellets fired by government forces who were later removed to SMHS hospital for treatment.
According to a video which has been making rounds on social media, blood of injured was spilled on the floor of Jama Masjid which evoked condemnation from neitizens.
A sources in the hospital revealed that at least thirty injured mostly hit by pellets were received in the hospital who are undergoing treatment.
People ran helter-skelter for safety while traffic on busy Nowhatta road came to grinding halt in the aftermath of intense clashes between government forces and agitating youth.
Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who had reached to home after delivering Friday sermon at grand mosque condemned the police action.
Mirwaiz in a tweet condemned deployment of police around grand mosque and their subsequent action against protesters.
“Heavy deployment of government forces around Jama Masjid even in this holy month of leading to tension and agitation. Dozens of civilians injured after forces resorted to pellet and tear gas shelling, large number of people unable to come out of the mosque. Condemn the deployment and forces action,” said the Mirwaiz.
Meanwhile Jamia Market Traders Federation (JMTF) called complete shutdown in old city and peaceful protest at Nowhatta on Saturday against the wanton use of force by police at Jama Masjid.