At least 22 persons were injured in south Kashmir’s Shopian district as protesters were tear gassed at two different places. Hundreds of protesters started their march towards Shopian from Pinjura and Trenz area. Raising anti-India and pro-freedom slogans, the protesters were intercepted in the midway near Sheikh Mohalla, by police and CRPF.
Soon clashes started in the area and government forces used tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse the protesters. Sources said that twenty protesters sustained injuries in clashes which lasted for a couple of hours. However, they were treated locally. Another protest rally from Harum, Hajipora area of Shopian district comprising of bikers as well was also intercepted outside the town however some two hundred bikers succeeded in reaching the Gole Chakri, Shopian and raised a green flag.
Government forces swung into action and fired tear smoke shells to disperse them. Sources said that two protesters sustained injuries in the incident who were hospitalised. Meanwhile, a pro-freedom march led by women and participated by males of different age groups was taken out at Wavoora on Kupwara – Lolab main road. Anti-India slogans and songs glorifying militants were going on in the area, reports said.
Massive pro-freedom protest was going on at Chotipora Handwara on Baramulla Kupwara highway on Thursday. The protesters were tear gassed which resulted in clashes in the area. Sources said that a tear smoke shell hit a protester on his head injuring him critically.
He has been referred to Srinagar, they said. 10 other protesters received pellets and were evacuated to Langate Hospital. Meanwhile, women led another protest march at Aaloosa and Kralpora Kupwara. At Nutnoosa people protested against forces accesses and police crackdown on youth.
