KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The killing of engineering student Gowhar Nazir Dar at the hands of Para-military Central Reserve Police Force sparked protests in different areas of Kashmir including Summer Capital Srinagar.
Violent clashes broke out in Narbal area where hundreds of youth took to streets to protest against the killing of engineering student and attacked police and CRPF with stones, prompting forces to burst dozens of tear-smoke shells. The clashes according to a police official left more than six policemen from Magam Police Station injured. “All the injured cops were shifted to local hospital for treatment,” police official told CNS.
The innocent killing evoked a protest in Kashmir University where hundreds of students from multiple departments took out a rally and amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans denounced the action of ‘killer’ forces. The protesting students assembled near Iqbal Library and then marched around KU campus and later sat in a sit-in protest.
Eyewitnesses said the students from SSM Engineering College at Parihaspora Pattan took out a protest march demanding immediate action and arrest of guilty troopers. “The slain youth was student of the same college and he was our class fellow,” said a group of protesting students. Amid pro-freedom slogans the students tried to block the vehicular traffic, however, police swung into action and fired tear-smoke shells to disperse them. The protest and the subsequent police action disrupted the traffic on roads.
Reports said that agitated youth from certain areas of old Srinagar city enforced a shutdown in Nowhatta, Gojwara, Hawal, Rajouri Kadal and other adjoining areas. The youth blocked the road and forced shopkeepers to windup their business. The protesting youth who were mulling to visit slain youth’s residence castigated Hurriyat leaders for observing a one day token strike after every innocent killing. “These Hurriyat leaders have failed to deliver on the ground. They resort to useless strikes knowing it well that it affects only a common man and not India. Everyone wants to become a leader here by calling shutdown or supporting it but failing to deliver on the ground,” the protesting youth said.
Some of the protesting youth pelted stones on the forces who, however, exercised restraint. Stone-pelting incidents were also reported in Hawal, Makhdoom Sahab, Nowhatta, Kawdara, Zadibal and Rajourikadal.The protesting youth amid anti-India slogans threatened to protest on daily basis if killers of Gowhar Nazirare not arrested and booked.
