KL Report
Srinagar
While curfew remained clamped in most parts of Kashmir, at least 60 persons including 26 policemen and CRPF personnel were injured in clashes that erupted at several places across the valley on Friday.
Though no separatist group had called for shutdown on Friday, people across the valley observed strike in protest against the killing and alleged excesses by security forces. Shops, banks and other business establishments across the valley were closed and traffic was largely off the roads.
Reports reaching here said that at least 12 protesters were injured in in Sopore, 10 in Baramulla, six in Kralpora, Kupwara, six in Palhalan, six in Kunzer Tangmarg, five in Hajin, Bandipora, four in Akhal Kangan, three in Sambora, Pampore, four in Shopian and 10 in Baghat, Hyderpora, Ompora and Bagh-e-Mehtab areas of the city. 10 people were reported to have received minor injuries in various other parts of the valley.
Police said some ‘miscreants’ pelted stones on an Ambulance of Langate hospital at Palhallan, Pattan, resulting in damage to the vehicle and injuries to driver of the vehicle.
“While chasing the miscreants five persons including three policemen received minor injuries. Police have registered a case in this regard,” it added.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir S M Sahai told KNS that nearly 600 police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been injured in Kashmir in the last some days during protests.
“We are exercising maximum restraint to avoid any collateral damage. More than 300 policemen and more than 200 CRPF personnel have been injured in clashes with stone pelters in the last few days,” he said.
The IGP said that on Friday situation in south Kashmir and Srinagar remained peaceful by and large. “In some areas of north Kashmir stone pelting incidents were reported on Friday. We will monitor the situation tomorrow before deciding whether to lift the restrictions on north Kashmir or not,” he added.
Sources told KNS Director General Police Ashok Prasad had called a high level meeting at Police Control Room where security forces were asked to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with the situation.
Authorities had imposed strict curfew in all the parts of the valley on Friday to thwart any protests.
police spokesman said that curfew remained imposed in major towns of the valley. “Situation remained by and large normal. There were some incidents of stone pelting at some places. Twenty-Six police and CRPF men were injured while tackling the situations at different places”, he added.
“Miscreants pelted stones at Soura in Srinagar, footbridge Dewan Bagh in Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag, Awantipora, Qaimouh Kulgam, Sopore and Handwara. In south Kashmir today, nine police and CRPF men were injured while tackling the law and order situation. In Kulgam five CRPF men, in Shopian four Policemen, in Anantnag one cop and in Awantipora one policemen was injured. In Sopore one CRPF man and six policemen, one among seriously, were injured. In Handwara five policemen including two Sub inspectors and an ASI were injured. In Srinagar three police personnel were injured”, the spokesman said in a statement here.
Meanwhile, scores of youth were arrested during nocturnal raids across the valley, sources said. They said police have intensified its drive to arrest the youth in wake of the recent stone pelting incidents.
Police have arrested Hurriyat (M) leader Mohammad Yosuf Naqash from his Safakadal residence on Friday. “They said Hurriyat (G) Gen Secretary Ghulam Nabi Sumjji, the leader M Shaban of Sopore and Nazir Ahmad Ahangar of Shahgund were also arrested today”. Sources said Police are raiding the residences of Majlis-e-Mushawrat leaders to nab them.
