Srinagar, Aug 16: A woman, Syeda Begum, was hit in head by a shell on Monday when police fired scores of tear gas shells to disperse protestors who were demonstrating against arrest of three persons including the victim’s husband at Shalimar in the city outskirts here.
Eye-witnesses said early in the morning hundreds of people from adjoining areas including Bongam and Pazalpora took to streets to protest against the ongoing killings in Kashmir.
As the protestors swelled in number and started marching towards the main market, a large contingent of police and CRPF intercepted them, eyewitnesses said. Raising pro-freedom and anti-government slogans, the protestors who were demonstrating peacefully, showed stiff resistance.
The contingent of CRPF and police, eyewitnesses said, swung into action and baton-charged the protestors. “They whisked away three persons including Syeda’s husband,” eyewitnesses said.
The action by police and CRPF infuriated the people who took to roads in large numbers and staged massive demonstrations, demanding release of the arrested persons.
In retaliation, police and CRPF fired scores of teargas shells to disperse the angry protestors. “One of the shells hit the woman on her head. She fell down unconscious instantaneously. She was rushed to SKIMS,” eye-witness said. Police and CRPF also barged into the localities and damaged the window panes of scores of houses.
Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, Syed Amin Tabish said the woman has head injuries. “She was hit with a tear canister on her head and is being treated,” he told Greater Kashmir. Sources said though Syeda’s condition was critical, she was stable. Reports said while the husband of Syeda was released late evening, the two youth were still under detention.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST