Srinagar, July 9: Defying curfew, hundreds of people protested across the Valley for the fifth consecutive day Friday against the killing of unarmed civilians. At least 16 persons were injured in fresh clashes between protesters and the police in north and south Kashmir.


Varmul
Reports said that hundreds of people took out a procession from old town Varmul after offering congregational Friday prayers. Protesters raising pro-freedom slogans marched through the streets. They were demanding stern punishment for the paramilitary CRPF troopers and the policemen involved in recent spate of killings across the Valley.
 The protesters staged a sit-in on the Cement Bridge for nearly 30 minutes. When the protesters tried to march towards the main chowk, CRPF troops and police fired teargas canisters and several shots in air to quell protesters who retaliated with stones triggering clashes that continued till late in the evening. Locals said that at least 16 persons were injured in the clashes.
Protests against the civilian killings were also held in Sheeri, Khwaja Bagh, Delina and other areas of the district.
In Palhalan, scores of people defied the curfew and staged demonstrations against alleged police atrocities. Shouting slogans against the CRPF and the police, the protesters said that the forces thrashed two youth, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Najar and Muhammad Maqbool Yatoo without any reason last evening.
“We’re being victimized by the forces for staging demonstrations. CRPF and police barge into residential houses, beat inmates and smash the window panes of several houses,” Abdur Razzak, a local said.
In the neigh boring Sopur town, groups of youth engaged CRPF troops and police in pitched battles in Batpora, Arampora, Chankhan and other localities. However, no reports of any injury were received.
South Kashmir
Protests and clashes were also reported from Pulwama, Shopian and Islamabad districts of south Kashmir.
Reports said groups of youth appeared on streets in Sindoo, Shirmal area of Shopian district and staged demonstrations to protest the civilian killings. The protesters also tried to set ablaze the vehicle and office of the forest department. However, police reached the spot and dispersed the protesters.
Hundreds of people took out a protest march from Samboora Pampore towards Pulwama. However, police intercepted them near Kakapora and beat them up with batons. Protesters retaliated with stones triggering clashes in which at least 12 persons were wounded.      

Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST