Pellets continues to rain over Pro-freedom rallies, over 80 injured; BSF deployed in Srinagar after 12 years

  • Forces foil ‘referendum march’ in South Kashmir
  • Curfew, Protest continued for 45 days
  • Old Srinagar under strict curfew
  • Protests against youth’s killing in Fateh Kadal
  • BSF troops deployed in J&K after 12 years

Pellets continues to rain over Pro-freedom rallies, over 80 injured; BSF deployed in Srinagar after 12 yearsAt least 40 people sustained injuries in South Kashmir while 20 were injured in Srinagar district when forces fired pellets and tear-gas shells at pro-freedom rallies and protests on Monday. Even though there was some movement of private vehicles in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar, police and paramilitary forces toughened the curbs after 6 pm to enforce strict curfew to counter relaxation call of joint resistance camp.

South Kashmir
At least 40 people sustained injuries after forces fired pellets and lobbed teargas shells to foil pro-freedom rallies in various South Kashmir areas, even as curfew remained in place in all major towns here for the 45th running day. 20 people were injured after government forces fired teargas shells and pellets into a pro-freedom rally in Ganowpora village of Shopian. The injured were treated in a local health facility. Witnesses said police, CRPF and Army got down from their vehicles in the village and set ablaze tents, public address system and eight generators to break up the ‘referendum rally’ called by Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH). “They also vandalized the venue,” said a participant, adding: “Despite forces going on rampage, the rally went on.” District President of Tehreek-i-Hurriyat Muhammad Yousuf Falahi addressed it.
Five more people sustained injuries after forces attacked another pro-freedom rally in Hari-Parigam village of Tral. The rally, however, was held successfully.
“The forces fired shells and pellets on volunteers who had assembled at the venue to oversee the arrangements for the rally,” witnesses said.
They said the forces also set ablaze the tent and other equipment but the rally was held.
12 more people sustained pellet and teargas shell injuries in clashes with police and paramilitary forces in Saalia village of Aishmuqam in Anantnag district after forces tried to foil a freedom rally-cum-unity conference of various sects. “Police and paramilitary forces reached the village early morning and attempted to vandalize the venue near local Jamia Masjid where a rally was proposed. However, people came out and resisted the move by pelting stones,” locals said.
They said forces resorted to intense teargas shelling and fired pellets, causing injuries to at least 12 people. The injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital (SDH) Seer where from two of them, who had severe injuries, were referred to District Hospital Anantnag. “The forces also smashed windowpanes of many houses and lobbed teargas shells inside houses,” locals alleged.
The forces had also placed severe restrictions –erecting barricades and spools of concertina wire—at various places to stop people from marching towards the venue. However, defying restrictions, people re-grouped themselves and thronged the venue where a rally was later held. The rally besides religious scholars was addressed by Tehreek-I-Hurriyat Tehsil President, Riyaz Ahmad and JKLF District Secretary Showkat Ahmad.
A freedom rally-cum-unity conference of various sects was also organized in Kaimoh area of Kulgam district. The rally went off peacefully.
Meanwhile, curfew continued in Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Pampore towns. Clashes also erupted at many places including Khudwani and Redwani Ghat in Kaimoh area of Kulgam and Charsoo in Awantipora.
Meanwhile, doctors and paramedics of various district hospitals of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian staged protests against use of pellets and alleged excesses by the forces and also against attacks on ambulances.

Srinagar
At least 20 people sustained injuries during evening clashes across Srinagar, especially in the old city areas where youth defied curfew and resorted to stone-pelting on forces. The youth were also staging protests against killing of Irfan Wani of Fateh Kadal yesterday. Witnesses said a massive pro-freedom rally was taken out from Fateh Kadal that passed through various areas and reached Khanyar where forces intercepted it and pushed the protesters back. Police fired tear-gas shells to disperse the protestors. 15 youth were injured in the forces’ action, witnesses said.
Reports of clashes also poured in from 90-feet Soura, Hawal, Gojwara, HMT, Lawaypora and other areas. Reports of protests came in from uptown areas that include Nowgam, Lasjan, Chanapora, Natipora and Hydeprora.

North Kashmir
Pro-freedom rallies were held in different parts of Baramulla district. In old town Baramulla, a huge pro-freedom rally was held this afternoon. The protesters marched through inner parts of Old Town and later assembled at Azad Gunj Chowk where they offered afternoon prayers. Meanwhile, a group of youth engaged police throughout the day on Azad Gunj and Cement Bridges. Police lobbed scores of teargas shells and the clashes continued till evening. One person was injured during these clashes.
Meanwhile, in Palhallan area, a huge pro-freedom rally was held this afternoon. The protesting youths raised pro-freedom slogans and marched through inner areas of the town and later dispersed peacefully.
Reports from Kupwara said 12 protestors sustained injuries after clashes broke out at Kulangan area. Youth hurled stones at forces’ vehicles. The forces responded with pellets, injuring nearly a dozen of them. Meanwhile, clashes between forces and protestors broke out in Nutnoosa area of Handwara. Three protestors were injured in the clashes and were removed to district hospital Handwara.
In Arampora, some youth allegedly targeted an ambulance carrying an ailing child from Kupwara to Handwara and broke its windowpanes. The incident enraged locals who protested against it. A policeman was injured in the clashes in Lalpora area of Lolab.
Medical staff including ambulance drivers and doctors at district hospital Kupwara on Monday protested against damage caused to ambulances and beating of drivers.
Meanwhile after strict restrictions during the day, night curfew was imposed in areas of Kupwara district for the second consecutive day. There were announcements in Kupwara town, Sulkote, Rigipora, and other areas by police, asking people not to come out after 6 pm. Shopkeepers were asked not to open their shops after 6 PM. In Bandipora, the protesters marched through the inner streets of Aloosa village, raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. Witnesses and reports said residents of Ashtengoo, Aloosa, Malangham and Kehnusa participated in the rally.
Reports from Sopore areas suggested said peaceful rallies were held in Batpora, Muslim Peer, Arampora, and other areas.

Central Kashmir
Reports said protests were staged by para-medical staff at Kangan hospital against attack on an ambulance driver.
Reports said peaceful protests were held in Pandach Crossing, Fatehpora and Baroosa in Ganderbal district against the detention of local youth.
Reports from Budgam district said amid complete shutdown, protests were held in Beerwah town after Magrib prayers while restrictions remained in place in various areas.

Police Version
A police spokesman in a statement said curfew was relaxed in jurisdiction of police stations of uptown in Srinagar from 9 am to 5 pm including Ram Munshi Bagh, Kothi Bagh, Raj Bagh, Sadder, Nowgam, Shaheed Gunj, Karan Nagar, Shergarhi and Parimpora. “Curfew was also relaxed in Soura, Lal Bazar and Nigeen police stations’ jurisdiction. During the relaxation hours, no untoward incident was reported and markets remained open and traffic was normal on roads,” the spokesman claimed.
He said situation remained peaceful in Srinagar, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Bandipore, Kupwara, Baramulla, “however five incidents of stone pelting were reported from Budgam, Anantnag, Shopian and Sopore.”
“These incidents were reported from Hyderpora in Budgam, Salli in Anantnag, Wathu, Gonapora in Shopian and Gulabad in Sopore,” he said. As per the statement issued by Zonal Police Headquarters the situation across the Kashmir remained under control and no other untoward incident was reported. “The movement of traffic on highway and other roads remained normal.”

BSF troops deployed in J&K after 12 years
The Border Security Force (BSF), which was taken off counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir in 2004, was today deployed in the summer capital here after a gap of 12 years. BSF personnel were deployed in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk in the city and adjoining areas for law and order duties, a police official said.
Officials from the civil administration, BSF and police top brass refused to comment on the deployment of the force in the city.
This is for the first time since 2004 that BSF has been called for active duty in the city. BSF, which conducted anti-militancy operations in Kashmir for nearly 13 years from 1991, was replaced in the city by CRPF in 2004. The BSF troops were then moved to their primary duty of guarding the Line of Control and the international border.

Related posts