Srinagar, July 1: Curfew continued to be in force in the summer capital here and several major towns across the Valley on Thursday even as protests broke out at a number of places here during the day. Curfew remained in force in Islamabad, Sopur, Pulwama, Varmul, and Kulgam towns.
In Srinagar, activists of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, led by Chairperson Asiya Andrabi, took out a protest from Mughal Mohalla Chattabal this afternoon. Hundreds of people joined them and they attempted to march towards Pathar Masjid situated near Zaina Kadal on the call of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani.
However, police and central paramilitary forces intercepted them on Chattabal Bridge triggering clashes between youth and forces. The forces cane charged the processionists injuring several of them. Witnesses said six persons, including two video-journalists, were injured in the police action.
The ding-dong battles between two sides continued for several hours. Police and CRPF were deployed in strength at Pathar Masjid where women were asked to assemble. In view of the women’s march, deployment of women police was also made at Batamaloo, Bemina, HMT, Qamarwari, Chattabal, Zaina Kadal and several other localities.
Meanwhile, areas falling under six police stations- Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Soura and Maharaj Gunj- remained under curfew. The entry points to the old city were sealed by placing barricades and laying razor wire. Additional police and paramilitary forces were deployed in these areas to restrict the civilian movement.
Protests broke out in Iddgah, Narwara, Dangerpora, Mirjanpora and several other neighbouring localities. The protesters were demanding release of youth who have been picked up by police during raids.
At Darish Kadal, locals said, CRPF men beat up teenagers who were playing cricket on the streets, injuring several on them. The incident triggered anti-CRPF protests in the area.
People, mainly youth, protested at Natipora today against the highhandedness of CRPF troopers. The protesters pelted stones on forces triggering clashes. Police repeatedly cane-charged and lobbed tear smoke canisters to quell the protests. The locals said that CRPF went berserk Wednesday evening smashing window panes of the residential houses.
In the evening, clashes broke out at several places in downtown when the police and CRPF returned from day’s duty. Youth pelted stones on them while forces attempted to chase them away.
Residents of many areas of the city complained of shortage of essentials because of continued curfew.

NORTH KASHMIR:
Curfew remained clamped for the sixth day in Sopur and Varmul towns of north Kashmir. The situation remained relatively calm as compared to the last few days.
However, people staged protest demonstrations at Khawaja Bagh locality. Shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, they protested the killings of young boys in police and CRPF action and demanded action against them. Police used mild force to disperse the protesters.

TARIQ RASOOL ADDS FROM BANDIPORA:
Hundreds of people today staged pro-freedom demonstrations at several places in Bandipora district including Hajin, Sumbal, Saderkoot, Ashtangoo, Nadihal. Chanting pro-freedom, anti-India and anti-CRPF slogans, protesters were demanding stern punishment against the killers of youth.
However, police cane charged protesters and arrested two traders namely Asgar Ali of Kaloosa and Bilal Ahmed of Ward 2.
Police has banned the sale of news papers in Bandipora district. The newspaper vendors said they weren’t allowed to sell newspapers and said police has warned them not to open their shops.
Locals accused CRPF of unleashing terror by forcibly entering into the houses and damaging household goods and windowpanes.
“CRPF has made our life hell. They have damaged property in scores of houses here,” they said.
In Kupwara, a complete strike was observed against the killing of young boys by government forces. All the business establishments and offices remained closed and traffic was off the roads.
At several places youth came out on roads and held protest demonstrations raising anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
Protests were held in Rigipora, Trehgam, Hiri, Kralpora and Brunwari areas. A group of protesters marched from Hiri but were intercepted by paramilitary forces at Brunwari.
Curfew-like situation prevailed in Kupwara, Trehgam and Handwara towns.

KHALID GUL REPORTS FROM SOUTH KASHMIR:
Situation in South Kashmir’s Islamabad town was relatively calm after curfew continued here for the second consecutive day over the cold blooded murder of three teenagers, allegedly by the police.
However, protests were held in the interiors including SK Colony, Anchidora and Kadipora. In Anchidora locality, where from the three slain teenagers hailed, people staged massive demonstrations and made announcements on the speakers of the masjids appealing the people to assemble at Jamia Masjid Anchidora for Friday congregational prayers to pay tributes to the martyrs and devise a policy to ‘expose the officials involved in the cold blooded murder of three innocents.’ Besides, the youth had also pasted posters in various localities asking people to march towards Anchidora.
Situation in the rest of the town remained relatively calm as deployment of paramilitary troopers and police was increased in every lane and by-lane.
In other parts of the district including Mattan, Bijbehara, Dialgam and Achabal strict restrictions were enforced amid some protests.
Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad, Jaipal Singh said, “Curfew remained in force in the entire town and the situation remained calm. He, however, said that curfew would continue on Friday.”
Meanwhile, the magisterial enquiry into the alleged cold blooded murder of three teenagers by the police would begin with the issuing of notices for all the eyewitnesses of the incident.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Ghulam Muhammad Dar, said, “Till now we have been busy in maintaining law and order in the town. So, the inquiry hasn’t yet started. However, I expect that by Friday evening the situation would be better and we would issue the notices to all eyewitnesses.”
He said that all the police officials whose names have surfaced for being involved into the incident would also be summoned.
Curfew also continued for the second consecutive day in the neighboring townships of Qaimoh and Kulgam in Kulgam district and Pulwama. While in Shopian strict restrictions were enforced though there were reports of clashes from some areas of the town.
Reports of shutdown and restrictions also poured in from Ganderbal and Budgam districts.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST