Srinagar, Dec 13: Protests continued against the detention of Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, at many places here on Sunday.
 Eyewitnesses said scores of youth, shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans, took to streets at Kawdara in the old city. They said the police and paramilitary CRPF dealt the protesters with intense baton charging and firing tear gas canisters, triggering clashes between youth and the troopers.  
 The tension spread to the adjoining areas where youth came out pelting stones at the police and CRPF. The areas include Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal and others.
 The situation affected normal life for several hours in the areas while the pitched battles continued till late in the evening. Eyewitnesses said at least six youth were injured in clashes and “as many were arrested by police.”
 Geelani was arrested on Friday shortly after police and CRPF foiled his public rally at Khankahi Maola here. Geelani has been charged with ‘breach of peace’ and has been sent to Srinagar central jail. He is presently undergoing treatment at SK Institute of Medical Sciences under custody.
 Protests were also reported from Maisuma. Witnesses said scores of youth assembled in the area in the evening and started shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. Police, they said, resorted to baton charging and firing tear gas shells which triggered pitched battles between the youth and policemen.
 The youth were protesting alleged high handedness of police in the area on Friday. A 14-year-old boy, Faizan Ahmad, was critically injured in police firing at Maisuma on Friday. Dozens of youth, policemen, CRPF troopers and at least six photojournalists were also injured. Nearly eight shops in Maisuma market were gutted in a blaze which the locals said was triggered by a teargas shell.

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Srinagar, Dec 13: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, is expected to be released on bail on Monday.
 The Hurriyat Conference (G) spokesman, Ayaz Akbar, told Greater Kashmir that the party would appeal for Geelani’s bail on Monday.
 “We expect Geelani Sahab’s release because the offence he has been charged with is bailable,” he said.
 Geelani was arrested on Friday shortly after police and CRPF foiled his public rally in downtown here. Geelani has been charged with ‘breach of peace’ and has been sent to Srinagar central jail. He is presently undergoing treatment at SK institute of Medical Sciences under custody.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 IST