KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Clashes between groups of youth and forces broke out in Old Srinagar city after Friday prayers, while the arrest of a ‘salesman’ and ‘massive teargas shelling’ sparked protest and shutdown from trader’s community.
Eyewitnesses told CNS forces fired dozens of tear-smoke shells on a group of youth who attacked them with stones after taking out a protest march waving black and green flags.
As the prayers culminated, a group of youth, shouting pro-freedom slogans, tried to march towards Nowhatta Chowk but were stopped by forces. The youth pelted stones on the forces which also resorted to tear-smoke shelling.
Reports said that many protesters were injured in these clashes.
The traders alleged that police resorted to massive tear gas shelling while some shells went off inside shops and Masjid Sharif. They said that police also arrested a Salesman Lateef Ahmed. The traders downed their shutters and staged a protest. The clashes and subsequent shutdown by the traders disrupted normal life in Nowhata, Gojwara and adjacent areas.
