Banihal, Aug 13: The otherwise calm area of Banihal in Pir Panchal range on the Srinagar-Jammu highway witnessed stone pelting by angry youth on Friday after police used force on a peaceful demonstration against the killing of civilians in Kashmir valley.
Though life was normal across this town of Ramban district since morning, situation turned volatile after Friday prayers when a large number of people, especially youth, assembled outside the Jamia Masjid and staged a protest demonstration.
Shouting anti-government and anti-police slogans the protestors marched towards the main bazaar where they were stopped by a strong contingent of police and paramilitary personnel.
The protestors, eyewitnesses said, entered into a verbal duel with some police personnel, who responded with baton-charge and teargas shells. Police also fired several rounds in air to disperse the protesters. Eyewitnesses said that the protestors then resorted to stone pelting and in the ding dong battles which continued for more than two hours, at least a dozen persons were injured. The injured also include Station House Officer (SHO) Sajad Ahmed Mir.
People alleged that the police thrashed every one who came in their way while the protestors escaped from the spot.
“I was walking back home after prayers when police personnel suddenly attacked me and gave me severe thrashing,” an injured Gaffar said.
Police, sources said, also arrested over 18 persons since afternoon while it was hunting for number of other youth who allegedly led the protest march.

PROTESTS IN RAJOURI
 Hundreds of people held protest demonstrations after Friday prayers in district Rajouri to resent the killing of innocent youth in Kashmir valley.
 Reports said that hundreds of people gathered outside Jamia Masjid after Friday prayers and held demonstration amid anti-government sloganeering. They asked the government to stop committing atrocities on the Kashmiri people.
 While condemning the killing of youth in the valley, head Imam of Jamia Masjid Rajouri, Ghulam Rasool, sought judicial probe in the firing incident in which one woman was killed and 15 persons injured at Thanamandi three days back.
 Rasool urged the government to bring the facts before the people and punish the culprits responsible for attacking the passenger bus.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST