KL Report
SRINAGAR
Police had to use tear smoke shells at three different places in the south town of Shopian on Thursday, when angry people pelted stones on the cavalcade of People’s Party (PDP) Petron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, a local PDP leader’s residence and a vehicle campaigning for the BJP candidate.
Reports said that as Mufti, reached Gagren, area of the town, youth pelted stones on his cavalcade. Police sources said Mufti was immediately taken inside the police camp, situated nearby and the men in uniform had to use tear smoke shells and aerial firing to disperse the protesters.
They added that youth also attacked the residence of a local PDP activist at Mimender. “Mufti was leading a road show and when he reached Mimender, people came out and raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans,” a local said adding “from Mimender to the Bazar Chowk and DC office, stone pelting incidents took place at many places.”
In the Bone Bazar, chowk, police used tear smoke canisters against protesters who attacked a vehicle campaigning in favour of the BJP candidate.
Sources said that two persons were injured in the police action at Gagren and Bone Bazar, Chowk who have been admitted in the district Hospital Shopian.
When contacted SP Shopian, Shawkat Ahmad said, “It was a minor incident and the situation is under control.”
Earlier, all the shops and business establishments were closed when the news about Mufti’s visit spread in the town. “Shutdown announcement was made from the loud speakers of the local mosques and people were told to protest,” a local resident informed Kashmir Life.
