Nocturnal clashes broke out between youth and police on Shab-e- Qadr in old Town Anantnag.
According to witnesses, some youth assembled at the Sherbaghlocality and raised slogans in favour of Azadi.
“They hurled stones at the police post-Sherbagh. The policeresponded with firing tear gas shells, chilly grenades, and pellets, triggeringclashes,” they said.
The clashes soon spread to Reeshi Bazar; Mattan Adda;Dangerpora and Kadipora and Lal Chowk.
During the clashes, youth identified as Adil Ahmad Malik ofCheeni Chowk received head injury. He was shifted to district hospital Anantnag for treatment.
People alleged that the security forces beat up people atKadipora locality.
“They broke into several houses, smashed parked vehicles andalso picked up several boys,” alleged the locals.
The pregnant women and newborns at Maternity and childcarehospital Sherbagh had to bear the smoke and pepper gas, witnesses added.
Meanwhile, a meeting of various bodies was held here todaywherein the forces highhandedness on the Shabi Qadr occasion was unanimouslycondemned
The bodies which participated in this important meetingincluded All Traders and Manufactures Association (ATMA), South Kashmir CivilSociety (SKCS), Bar Association Anantnag besides several members of Auqaf Committees of town.
“They (forces) even lobbed shells and chilly grenades inside places of worshipJamia Masjid Hanfia Reeshi Bazar; Rehat Ded mosque Lal Chowk; Jamia MasjidJamiati Ahlidaees Sherbagh; Patharmosque Mattan Adda; Dangerpora mosque,” the statement read.
The meeting also urged the district administration to takeaction against the SHO who they allegedwas responsible for the highhandedness.
“We also appealpolice to release all youth lodged in various police stations of the district,”the statement read.
A Joint ActionCommittee (JAC) Anantnag was also formed on the occasion to address such issuesin future.