Massive protests and clashes erupted in Lal Chowk area of City Centre here against the detention and alleged manhandling of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik by government forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
According to GNS correspondent, Malik who today visited Batengoo in Anantnag district and offered his condolences with the family of Zahid Rasool who was murdered by goons of Hindutva outfits. Malik after visiting Zahid’s House then offered Fateha Khwani at his grave and started his march along with his associates and people towards Lal Chowk Anantnag where he was scheduled to hold token hunger strike against Zahid’s murder and attacks on Muslims in India.
Eyewitnesses told GNS that as soon as Malik reached on National Highway, a large contingent of government forces stopped him and people from proceeding ahead and detained Malik. Witnesses said that the JKLF chairman was manhandled by forces while the JKLF said that he was also thrashed by the CRPF personal.
The action of government forces infuriated Malik and his associates that include Javaid Ahmad Mir, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo and Shabir Ahmad Dar. The JKLF chairman exchanged heated arguments with the forces particularly CRPF and also with police. Amid war of words, the police whisked away Malik and his associates from the spot and lodged them in Sadder Police Station of the district.
Meanwhile, as soon as the news of Malik’s detention and manhandling spread in Lal Chowk – the JKLF stronghold – scores of youths took to streets and resorted to heavy stone-pelting at police and CRPF at Akhara Building in Maisuma. The protesters attacked the forces with bricks and stones from various sides. The police and CRPF fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse the protesters. As the clashes were underway, the shopkeepers downed their shutters at Maisuma, Budshah Chowk, Gaw Kadal, Red Cross Road and Exchange Road.
The clashes and bangs of teargas shells created panic and chaos in the area. The clashes, within no time, spread to Maisuma Bund and Koker Bazar.
The forces had to face tough time when dozens of youth assembled at Court Road and resorted to heavy stone-pelting near Palladium Cinema. Amid anti-India sloganeering, there was violent stand-off between the two sides. All the shops and commercial establishments were shut at Lal Chowk, Ghanta Ghar, Koker Bazar, Amira Kadal and Court Road markets.
The clashes in Lal Chowk continued for nearly two hours while as the same were on till late evening at Maisuma. (GNS)
