KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Life was paralyzed on Wednesday for the 96th consecutive day across Kashmir Valley as authorities put curbs in place in wake of Ashoora processions and freedom march call given by joint resistance leadership.
Protests and clashes were reported from many parts of Kashmir even authorities as usual had deployed large contingent of government forces personnel across the length and breadth of Valley.
Police used tear-smoke shells to disperse protesters who were protesting against the arrest spree of youth in Rambagh area of Srinagar city.
During the clashes police bundled a local youth into the vehicle, however, the stiff resistance showed by women in the area forced police to release the said youth, who according to locals was not a part of protest.
Locals at Chanapora also blocked the road against the nocturnal raids. They alleged that police picked up innocent youth during night raid in the area.
Protests erupted in Aloosa village of Bandipora in north Kashmir on Wednesday after forces allegedly went berserk.
Reports and witnesses said that forces damaged residential houses, smashed windowpanes and beat up inmates without any provocation in the village.
To protest the action, hundreds of men and women took to streets and raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
Earlier, huge contingents of forces were deployed in and around the village to foil a march called by the resistance leadership.
In their latest weekly protest calendar, the leadership had asked people of Bandipora to march towards Aloosa village on Wednesday.
Authorities on Wednesday foiled “Safapora Chalo” programme called by the resistance leadership in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Reports said that forces were deployed in strength in the area late Tuesday to foil the proposed march.
All the entry points to Safapora market were closed, they said.
On Wednesday, as soon as a group of youths started pro-freedom sloganeering, police swung into action and chased them away.
There were reports of minor stone-pelting by the youths.
At least eight people were injured after forces in a bid to foil ‘Frisal March’ fired tear-smoke shells and pellets on Wednesday.
Locals had called for Frisal freedom march on Wednesday; however, authorities imposed strict curfew and restriction in the adjoining villages of Kulgam.
Witnesses said that a large number of people tried to defy curfew and started marching towards the venue, however, at Bugam village, they were stopped by forces.
The agitated protesters pelted stones while in retaliation, tear-smoke shells and pellets were fired upon them, resulting in the injuries of eight people.
Reports said that police arrested two youth during the melee and lodged them in police station Kulgam.
Locals alleged that forces damaged at least 30 residential houses, 2 power transformers and 2 shops after they went on the rampage. “The forces fired pellets and tear-smoke shells continuously to scare people,” they said.
Forces also foiled ‘Dadsar freedom march’ in Tral town where a large contingent of Army, CRPF and Police cordoned off the area and restricted the movement of the people.
Locals alleged that forces caused damage to private property at Mirpora, Ratherpora, Batapora and Chandrigam as well.
The locals according to reports resorted to stone-pelting shortly after government forces started damaging the houses and vehicles.
(With additional inputs from Current News Service.)
