Aakash Hassan
Islamabad
Intense clashes broke out between forces and protesters in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district after Friday prayers.
People were marching towards Lal Chowk Islamabad, on the protest call given by Separatist camp over the separate townships, new industrial policy and Sainik Colonies.
Soon after the Friday prayers people started marching from Historical Hanafia Masjid and other adjoining mosques towards Lalchowk shouting “pro –freedom, anti-India and Election Boycott slogans”.
“As they headed towards Lalchowk, a large posse of police and paramilitary forces stopped them near Reshi Bazar. This led to massive stone pelting,” said an eyewitness.
Forces resorted to baton charge and heavy teargas shelling and foiled the march.
Reports said that at least four people received injuries while one of them sustained pellet injuries who was shifted to Srinagar’s SMHS hospital.
Later clashes also broke in Malakhnag, Reshi Bazar, Mattan Chowk, Sherbagh, and other parts of Islamabad town and the condition remained tense till evening.
Meanwhile speaking in a local Majid before Friday prayers, JKLF leaders including Noor Mohammad Kalwal, Molvi Gulzar and Sheikh Rashid asked people to refrain from voting in the coming By-Polls of Islamabad and “observe complete boycott of the poll process”.
JKLF chairperson Yasin Malik was earlier in the day arrested at Pampore while he was on way to Islamabad. He was scheduled to hold an election boycott rally in the town.
Meanwhile, in Kulgam, at least two youth sustained injuries after CRPF confronted youth who pelted stones at their camp, by teargas shelling and aerial firing.
Protest rallies were also held in the other parts of south Kashmir against the Sainik colony and separate townships for Kashmiri Pandit’s.
