Clashes between Protestors and Security Personnel in Srinagar

During a shutdown against the conviction of six Kashmiris in Lajpat Nagar bombing case, dozens of youths clashed with police Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers in Srinagar, pelting stones at them, said media reports.

The shutdown call was given by Syed Ali Geelani, chief of the hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference.

Due to shutdown, public transport and markets remained closed, and clashes broke out in Maisuma locality, near the city centre Lal Chowk, reports said.

“Police used batons and tear smoke to disperse the unruly stone pelters in Maisuma area of the city this morning,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying.

Besides, women activists of a separatist party, Mass Movement, staged a protest in the city’s Press Enclave against the conviction of the party’s chairperson, Farida Dar, by a Delhi court along with five other Kashmiris in the Lajpat Nagar bomb blast in which 13 people were killed on May 2, 1996.

Police took many women activists into preventive custody while intervening to prevent the protests, said reports.

After the clashes, security personnel began enforcing restrictions on public movement in many areas of the old city including Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Rainawari and Safa Kadal, reports said.

“This situation is being closely monitored to prevent antisocial elements from creating a law and order situation here,” Javaid Riyaz, the senior superintendent of police (Sinagar), was quoted as saying.

(Based on internet reports)