Business Hub of Srinagar city, Lal Chowk, Friday witnessed spontaneous shutdown when two youth allegedly tried to unfurl right wing Hindu nationalist party BJPs flag on the clock tower (Ghanta Ghar).
As the news broke, the shopkeepers, in a jiffy, downed their shutters and are observing a shutdown.
The neighbouring Maisuma witnessed clashes between forced and youth post Friday congregational prayers.
News coming from old city said that clashes broke out after Friday prayers in Nowhatta area. Youth and forces were engaged in ding dong battles.
The protesters raised pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans.
Police and Paramilitary forces resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters. However, they kept reassembling and pelted stones.
In the on-going clashes, a video journalist working with New Delhi based NEWS-X, Firdous Ahmad. He was hit by a stone on his head. His colleagues shifted him to nearby Gousia hospital where he received four stitches on his head.
Meanwhile, all the business establishments in Lal Chowk and Neighbouring areas remained effected for the day. City also witnessed thin movement of traffic.
