Srinagar, Aug 22: Amid strict curfew fresh protests broke in several parts of the summer capital on Sunday even as police arrested several youth from downtown Rainawari. The youth were released in the evening.
 Reports said at least a dozen persons were injured, with most of them sustaining pellet gun injuries, in the police action against protesters across the city. At Bagyas, Chattabal, witnesses said, a fleet of more than a dozen police vehicles entered the locality, causing panic among the residents. “Initially we thought they were going to conduct a crackdown. But the policemen started bringing down pro-freedom banners and flags in the locality. Without any provocation, they beat up people most of whom were out for offering prayers,” locals told Greater Kashmir.
 People raised hue and cry over Majid loudspeakers following which they poured on the streets in protest. Many of them hurled stones at police who responded by baton charging, firing tear smoke shells and pellets.
 Witnesses said four persons were injured in the police action while eight sustained pellet injuries. They were shifted to SMHS hospital.
 Those with pellet injuries were identified as Tanvir Ahmad Najar, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Javaid Ahmad Sofi, Mukhtar Mir, Muhammad Maqbool Ganai, Zahoor Ahmad, Mukhtar Ahmad and Meraj-ud-din—all residents of Chattbal.
 A police spokesman said that police was conducting a flag march in the Bagyas area when it sighted an “objectionable flag.” “The flag was removed. Some miscreants pelted stones on the police following which police used pump action ammunition against them.” The protests continued for several hours in the area.
 In downtown Rainawari, scores of people staged protest demonstration after police picked up five youth from Mughal Mohalla locality. Eyewitnesses said the youth were cleaning a graveyard after a death of a person in the locality. “They were bundled in vehicles and taken to Rainawari police station.”
 People staged massive protests in Rainawari Chowk and pelted stones on policemen, following which two youth were released. Police used force against the protesters by using pallet guns which caused injuries to four of them. The rest of the three were released later in the evening.
 Elsewhere, police and CRPF was deployed in large number who imposed strict curfew across the areas falling under a dozen police stations of Srinagar.
 Meanwhile City police (south) claimed to have arrested one “notorious stone-pelter.” “On his revelations eight more stone-pelters were arrested during raids around Mahjoor Nagar in uptown. Similarly, city police (North) also arrested eight stone-pelters who are wanted in different acts of mob violence,” police said.

KHALID GUL ADDS FROM SOUTH KASHMIR
 At least a dozen people were injured in Bijbehara Township of Islamabad district as police and paramilitary personnel used force to disperse the procession.
 Reports said defying the curfew restrictions people in Pazalpora area of the town took to streets and carried out a pro-freedom procession. However, police and CRPF men resorted to baton charge and tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters. 12 persons sustained injuries in the police and CRPF action. Clashes again broke in various areas of the town late in the evening when the deployment was withdrawn. The town has been under curfew since the killing of a youth by police and CRPF on Friday.
 Though, curfew was lifted from the Islamabad town after a long time but strict restrictions were in place.
 Pertinently, since June, 29 following the alleged cold blooded murder of three teenagers by the police, the town has mostly remained under curfew. Police and paramilitary CRPF were deployed in strength and the civilian movement was restricted. Late in the evening clashes broke out in many areas of old town; Malakhnag, Cheeni Chowk, Reeshi Bazar , Lal Chowk and civil-line area of KP road. Police and CRPF men lobbed tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters who retaliated by hurling stones and bricks.
 In Chawalgam village of Kulgam people in large numbers came out and carried a pro-freedom procession. However, police and CRPF men resorted to baton charge and intense tear gas shelling on a procession injuring about 10 civilians. They also fired several rounds in the air. Later, Special Task Force (STF) personnel detained several youth of the village some of whom were identified as Ashiq Hussain Yeetoo, Yasir Bhat and Mehraj-u-din. Later, more people including women and children came out and protested against the police. They were also demanding the release of the youth. In Kulgam and Qaimoh towns strict restrictions were enforced.
 At least a dozen persons including police and CRPF men were injured in the clashes that erupted in several areas of Shopian town. Police and CRPF men fired tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters who retaliated by pelting stones.
 Restrictions also prevailed in Pulwama, Kakpora, Tral, Pampore and Awantipora areas. However, pro-freedom processions were carried out in the adjoining areas of Nihama, Tahab, Khrew and Latipora.
 Hundreds of people took to streets and staged protested the killings of unarmed protesters at Samboora near Pampore. People offered congregational prayers on roads and later took out protest marches through several localities chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
 The blocked Srinagar-Pulwama road and demanded release of all the civilians arrested during the recent unrest. Hundreds of people from Hatiwara, Aluchi Bagh also joined them.

NORTH KASHMIR
 For 10th consecutive day, Trehgam in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district remained under curfew with locals’ complaining shortage of the essential commodities.
 The residents told Greater Kashmir that they have been caged in their houses since the killing of Mudasir Ahmed Zargar since last Friday.
 “We couldn’t venture out of houses for purchasing essentials as troopers and policemen have been deployed on entrance of gates and even we couldn’t take out our ailing children to hospitals,” said Nazir Ahmed Mir.
 Localities of Malik Mohalla, Maqboolabad, Mirpora, Zargar Mohalla, and Shiekh Mohalla in town were sealed by laying concertina wires and deploying hundreds of troopers and cops in lanes and by lanes.
 “There have been no prayers in Markazi Jamia Masjid during all these days
 Even the attendants are not allowed to accompany patients at sub centre for forces,” they said.
 In Varmul town, there were restrictions as usual on the four bridges (Cement bridge, Khanpora bridge, Transport yard bridge and Azad gunj bridge) connecting old town with the civil line areas.
 However, minor clashes broke out near Cement Bridge late in the evening, which were dealt by police with tear gas shelling.
 Reports of complete shutdown were received from Sopur and Bandipora.
 At Kangan in Ganderbal district, youth staged protests at Barwula and tried to march towards Kangan. However, police intercepted them near Kijpora and chased them away by resorting to baton charge. Protests were held in Cherwan and dispersed peacefully.
 In Ganderbal protests were held at Chuk-Fatehpora. Police chased away protesters without using force.
 Complete shut down observed in rest of the district.
 In Tangmarg scores of youth took a procession at Kunzer, raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
 When police chased away the youth in retaliation pelted stones on a police vehicle that was plying on Srinagar-Gulmarg road. Later CRPF swung into action and dispersed the protesters.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST