Amid complete shutdown, at least 20 people including eight policemen were injured during clashes between government forces and protestors in various areas of Shopian district on Friday.
Witnesses said as soon as Friday prayers were offered in various Shopian masjids, scores of youth pelted stones on forces in main town Shopian near mini-secretariat, Sofnaman, Meminder and Kanipora hamlets. Reports of clashes also received from Shirpora area in old town Anantnag.
Forces while retaliating lobbed teargas shells, fired pellets on protesters. The pitched-battles continued till late evening. Witnesses said nearly 20 youth sustained injuries in the clashes and were treated locally while one youth namely sustained pellet injuries on eye and was shifted to Srinagar hospital. “Eight policemen were also injured during day long clashes,” an official said.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed on the fifth consecutive day on Friday across Shopian district against civilian and militant killings.
All shops, business establishments, government and private offices remain closed in the district while public transport was off the roads.
People also staged a protest at various Shopian areas demanding immediate removal of newly established army camp in Pahnoo. People have already threatened to pro-long the ongoing strike unless the army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles camp is not removed from the area.
On Sunday evening, four civilians and two militants were killed in army firing at Pahnoo village.
While the locals said the civilians were killed in cold blood, army said they retaliated after their vehicle was fired at by militants. After the culmination of Friday prayers, people visited the residences of slain civilians and militants to offer Fateha for the deceased and express sympathy and solidarity with their families.
Meanwhile, mobile internet service in Shopian remain suspended on fifth straight day after authorities snapped the service on Monday.
Meanwhile, residents of Pampore after Friday prayers offered funeral prayers in absentia for four slain civilians of Shopian.
Scores of people gathered in the lawns of Khankah-e-Maula soon after the culmination of Friday prayers and offered absentia funeral prayers for the slain civilians. They also carried a peaceful protest rally.