SRINAGAR: Clashes between youth and police were reported after the Eid prayers were over in Srinagar’s Eidgah and in parts of south and north Kashmir.
Reports said youth resorted to sloganeering and stone pelting after the Eid prayers were over in the sprawling Eidgah on Saturday. The police used tear smoke shells and attempted chasing the crowds away. Police said the stone pelting around Eidgah started well before the prayers started. They said the clashes are still in progress.
Police had already arrested JKLF leader Yasin Malik which led to the announcement that Geelani and Mirwaiz would join the prayers at Eidgah. But the authorities did not permit either of the two to join the prayers. The prayers were eventually led by Imam-e-Hai of the Jamia Masjid.
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq who had been placed under house artrest, used the cell phone to make a speech to the Friday congregation at Eidgah.Police had sent an additional possee to his Nigheen mansion to tell him that he can not move out on Eid.
It may be recalled here that Geelani has not been permitted to offer Eid prayers for the last seven consecutive Eids, so far. Restricted to his home and under house arrest, Geelani is also not attending Friday prayers as well.
Reports from Islamabad said that after the Eid congregation concluded at the two main Eidgah’s – the Achajipora and Janglat Mandi, the young men resorted to protest demonstrations. They eventually had clashes with the cops. It was a stones versus tear smoke exchange. While the two were fighting each other, the women, children and the week were seen fleeing the spots. At least at one place, the protesters and the police had engaged themselves into clashes at a time when the sermons were going on in the mosque.
So far two persons are reported to have injured, one getting a pellet injury in his eye. Police confirmed that the person, not immediately confirmed, was hit by pellets in his one eye,. He was immediately rushed to SMHS hospital. “There is another person who was injured in pellets and we are told he is a stringer with Kashmir Observer but we do not have details,” one officer said.
Reports from Sopore said protests broke out from Jamia Masjid after the congregation was over. There were no injuries in the brief symbolic protests, reports added.
(Picture used in this copy lacks any direct relevance to the events mentioned)
