As violent street protests showed no signs of a let-up in parts of the Valley for the fourth consecutive day on Monday, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) reiterated its stand that there was a need to “bring all stakeholders on board to restore the path of peace and development in J&K.” Protesters blocked roads and engaged security forces in stone-throwing battles in parts of the old city, including Nowhatta, Gowjwara, Rajouri Kadal, Bohri Kadal and Hawal, as the three-day security clampdown was lifted in the morning. Several areas under six police stations in the city were brought under curfew-like restriction since Friday in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir on November 7.
The death of a youth, Gowhar Nazir Dar (22), after being hit on the head by a tear-gas shell fired by security forces during clashes in Zainakote in north Kashmir on Saturday evening, further fuelled the anger.
Dozens of stone-throwing youths took to the streets on Monday morning. They accused the security forces of excesses. “The security forces on Sunday evening smashed window panes. Several residents were thrashed without any provocation,” alleged Rayees Ahangar, a local. The protesters also expressed their anger at separatists for not organising protests.
