- Day 63; Protests, Clashes, Curfew continued across Kashmir
- Protests at Hazratbal
- No prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid on 9th Friday
- 31 stone-pelting incidents reported: Police
- Freedom rallies held across Kashmir
- Geelani releases five-page statement, calls Pak a friend
At least 150 people were injured in clashes that broke out after Friday prayers across Kashmir, with 50 people sustaining pellet and teargas shell injuries in South Kashmir areas alone, reports and witnesses said. A youth was hit by a bullet at 90-feet Soura on Srinagar outskirts during clashes and his condition was stated as critical.
Police had imposed curfew in majority of old Srinagar areas and also in major towns to prevent pro-freedom rallies and protests.
South Kashmir
At least 50 people were injured in clashes that erupted between youth and forces in various South Kashmir areas on Friday, even as stringent curfew was enforced in all major and small towns to thwart any attempts at protests. 20 people were injured after forces fired pellets at protesters in Shopian town and its adjoining villages. Local hospital sources said 15 persons have been hit by pellets. Two of the injured, identified as Mudasir and Aadil, were referred to Srinagar in a critical condition.
“While Mudasir had multiple pellet injuries on his chest after being hit from a very close range, Aadil had pellet injury in his eye,” a doctor said.
Reports said youths defied curfew and staged protests in Shopian town and forces tried to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes. Clashes also spread to adjoining Vihil, Kachdoor and Tukroo-Tegwani which were on when this report was filed.
Reports of protest demonstrations and clashes after Friday prayers were also received from Kellar, Sedwaw, Turkiwangan, Trenz and Pinjoora area of Shopian. Late evening reports said forces also damaged at least six electric transformers in Tukroo village as a result of which the entire area plunged into darkness.
“The forces fired volley of bullets towards transformers damaging them completely,” locals said. They said six youth have also been arrested by police. A dozen people were injured in protests and clashes that erupted in various Pulwama villages. “Youth held protest demonstrations and later clashed with forces at Tahab, Ruhmoo, Wuchbugh, Muran, Kakpora, Newa, Charsoo and Litter,” they said.
They said at least six persons sustained pellet injuries in Tahab and were treated at local Primary Health Centre (PHC). Massive pro-freedom demonstrations were also held in many Tral villages. Six peoples sustained injuries in clashes that erupted in Kulgam town. “Youth defied curfew and clashed with forces at various areas. Forces lobbed shells and fired pellets resulting into injuries to six people,” reports said. They said few cops and paramilitary forces were also injured in the clashes.
Massive pro-freedom demonstrations were held after Friday prayers in Bugam, Bolsu, Mohamadpora, Yaripora, Frisal and Kujar. People were shouting pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans, reports said. Six people sustained injuries after forces broke a pro-freedom demonstration after Friday prayers in Dooru area of Anantnag district. “Forces lobbed teargas shells and resorted to baton-charge on a peaceful procession,” locals said. A huge procession led by Tehreek-I-Hurriyat District President Mir Hafizullah was also held in Waghama village of Bijbehara after Friday prayers. The protesters, witnesses said, also set ablaze an effigy of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Reports of massive pro-freedom processions after Friday prayers were also received from Bijbehara town, Sangam, Kokernag, Aishmuqam, Seer, Pahalgam and Dachnipora villages including Srigufwara, Liver, Sallar and Kullar. Meanwhile, the residents of Bathnoor, Armulla and Lassipora villages of Pulwama district alleged forces’ atrocities during an overnight raid. “They ransacked houses, damaged vehicles and looted belongings of the people,” alleged a resident.
Reports said people have placed huge tree logs the roads leading to the village to prevent forces from reaching there. Fearing protests in the wake of Friday, authorities clamped curfew in all major and small towns—Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Bijbehara, Mattan, Awantipora, Pampore, Kakpora and Tral.
“Police and paramilitary forces armed with sophisticated weapons were deployed in strength to thwart any attempts at protests,” witnesses said.
They said forces had erected barricades and put spools of concertina wire at various entry and exit points. “No one was allowed to venture out and whosoever tried to was beaten to pulp,” witnesses said. Army was also seen patrolling Srinagar-Jammu Highway at various places.
Srinagar
While strict curfew was imposed in old Srinagar areas to prevent any major rally by youth, evening clashes were reported from Khanyar, Gojwara, Hawal, Bohri Kadal, Eidgah, Palpora and Noorbagh. A youth sustained bullet injury at 90-feet Road in Soura during clashes. “Javaid Ahmed was hit by a bullet in his abdomen damaging his intestines,” a report said. He was shifted to SKIMS, Soura, it said.
Reports said a massive rally was taken from Jamia Masjid in the evening. It was however, intercepted near Rajouri Kadal and Kadwara where police fired dozens of tear gas shells at protestors injuring five of them. Intense clashes were held at Nowhatta in the evening, reports said.
Reports said clashes were also witnessed at Lawaypora, HMT, Qamarwari, Barthana, Cement Kadal, Safa Kadal, Nopora and Sekidafar. Similar clashes were witnessed at Chotta Bazar, Habba Kadal, Karfali Mohalla, Zaindar Mohalla and Shaheed Gunj.
Reports of intense clashes also poured in from Natipora, Azad Basti, where locals also alleged forces’ atrocities. At Nowgam in uptown, people staged a torch protest after Magrhib prayers against civilian killings. Peaceful protests were also staged at Hyderpora, Peerbagh, Barzulla, Rambagh, Padshahibag, and Athwajan. Meanwhile, clashes erupted in Hazratbal area of Srinagar after forces tried to foil pro-freedom protests. Reports and witnesses said forces used mild lathicharge and teargas shelling to disperse protesters who were shouting slogans in favour of Kashmir’s freedom. Earlier, the Imam of Dargah, Hazratbal condemned the killing of innocent civilians in forces’ action.
The government disallowed Friday prayers for ninth consecutive week at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of downtown Srinagar. Curfew-like restrictions were placed in the area on movement of people to prevent them from participating in pro-freedom protests. “The area was sealed and forces were deployed in strength to prevent people from reaching the grand mosque,” said a resident.
While Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelan continues remain under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence, Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz continues to remain under custody at sub-jail Cheshmashahi. JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik has been lodged at Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) Humhama recently. Before that he was kept in Central Jail Srinagar.
North Kashmir
At least 20 protestors sustained pellet and teargas shell injuries when clashes broke out after Friday congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid Sopore. The condition of two of the injured was stated as critical, who were referred to Srinagar hospitals. Reports said thousands of people offered Friday prayers at Masjid and later took out a protest rally in which more than 30,000 people participated. The protestors were shouting pro-freedom and anti-government slogans. Reports said a massive protest rally was held from Botengoo after Friday prayers that passed through various areas and culminated peacefully. Similar rally was held in Zainageer area. At least 12 protestors sustained pellet injuries in the forces’ action at Warpora, Sopore, witnesses said. Amid strict curfew imposed in Baramulla district on Friday, reports of clashes between police and protesting youths came in from different areas. In Heewan, at least 12 youths sustained injuries after police raided a pro-freedom venue in which newly formed Ithad-e-Milat representatives were likely to speak. According to locals, as program was about to start, a contingent of police arrived at the scene and vandalized the entire set up. The police according to locals set ablaze tents and took away the public address system. The police action led to severe clashes in the area. Police fired scores of teargas shells and fired pellets at the agitating youths, resulting in injuries to 12. Two of the youths who suffered pellet injuries in their eyes were shifted to Baramulla district hospital, where from one injured youth was shifted to Srinagar hospital for advanced treatment. Meanwhile in Palhallan area, six youths sustained injuries during clashes that erupted after a group of protesting youths tried to march towards highway this afternoon. The protesting youths were not allowed to stage protest on the highway, triggering clashes. As the clashes intensified, police fired pellets leading to injuries to at least six youths. Two of the injured youths with pellet injuries in eye, were immediately shifted to Srinagar hospital. Earlier, announcements were made through loud speakers to offer joint Friday prayers at Chanderhama Palhallan. Thousands of people from Palhallan, Goshbugh, Wussan, Lalipora, Sultanpora and adjacent villages participated in the Friday congregation. Later a massive pro-freedom rally was taken out from the area. The marchers who were thousands in number, passed through different areas and later dispersed at Palhallan. In Chak Seeri Pattan, a massive pro-freedom rally was taken out soon after Friday prayers. As protesters tried to march towards highway, they were intercepted by police leading to clashes. Meanwhile intermittent clashes were also reported from Pattan main market after Friday prayers. Old town Baramulla witnessed a massive pro-freedom protest this afternoon in which thousands of people participated. The protesters amid pro-freedom slogans marched through the interiors of old town and later assembled in Azad Gunj Chowk where joint Friday prayers were offered. A pro-freedom protest rally in which hundreds of women participated was taken out later in evening in old town Baramulla. Later, intermittent clashes broke out between youths and police on Cement Bridge and Azad Gunj Bridge. The clashes continued till evening. Meanwhile, in Wagoora area of Baramulla district, a massive pro-freedom rally was taken out this afternoon. The protesters who comprised of several villages assembled in the Wagoora and held a pro-freedom demonstration. In Choor area of Baramulla district, clashes broke out this afternoon after a group of youth tried to stage protest demonstration on highway. The protesting youth were chased by police, triggering clashes in which several youths were injured. One of the youths with pellet injury was shifted to Baramulla district hospital. Reports from Kupwara said locals had called for Halmatpora chalo and hundreds of youth assembled at the village after Friday congregational prayers. Reports said that youth lobbed stones near Wayan while forces resorted to teargas shelling and pellet firing in which three youth were injured of which two were referred to SDH Kupwara. At the SDH, a doctor said one of the injured was a minor who had received pellets on his legs and was shifted to Srinagar. Meanwhile reports said six people sustained injuries in clashes at Kralpora, Kupwara while clashes were witnessed at Nagri Hutmulla. Locals alleged vandalism by forces at Sheikh Mohalla, Kralpora.
Reports from Bandipora said pro-freedom rallies where held across the district after Friday congregational prayers. Hundreds of people took out a pro-freedom rally from Jamia Masjid Bandipora and assembled at Gulshan Chowk raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. Similar rallies were held in Saderkote, Ashtengoo, Argam, Ajar Ayathmulla, Aloosa, Kehnusa, Hajin and other adjoining areas of Bandipora. Meanwhile, Itehad-e-Milat conference was held at Eidgah Ajas in which thousands of people participated. Reports said two youth sustained injuries after they were hit by pellets and were referred to Srinagar. They have been identified as Irshad Ahmed of Banyari and Waseem of Sakderkote Bala. Waseem was hit by pellets in his right eye and was referred to SKIMS, Bemina for treatment. Clashes also erupted near Gulshan Chowk in main town Bandipora. Reports said that youth pelted stones on forces who retaliated with pellets. Reports of clashes also poured in from Ajar and Kaloosa areas.
Central Kashmir
At least six youth sustained pellet injuries at Ompora, in Budgam district in forces’ action. Reports said clashes were reported from Nagam, Hadrupanzoo, Beerwah, Adina and Doyun Chadoora areas of the district. At Beerwah, people offered funeral prayers in-absentia for the martyrs of current unrest at martyrs’ graveyard where clashes broke out near Cooperative Bank. Six youth sustained injuries in the clashes.
At Doyun, Chadoora, forces allegedly resorted to vandalism and ransacked the residential houses. Locals alleged that forces also beat inmates to pulp. Clashes were also reported from Hardupanzoo where youth tried to attack a CRPF camp. Seven people sustained injuries here that were referred to Makhama PHC. Reports of clashes came in from Khag area also where four youth were detained. Clashes also broke out in Narbal, Chewdara, Ohangam, Aripanthan, Rathsun , Soibugh and Soibugh.
In Ganderbal district, a massive protest rally was taken after Friday prayers at Kangan which marched through different streets of the town and dispersed peacefully. Youth assembled outside various Jamia Masjids at Yatchhama, Thune and Preng in Kangan area and staged peaceful protests against civilian killings. The reports of peaceful protests also came in from Beehama, Darend, Bandeybagh, Baroosa, Kurhama, Wakura, Safapora, Kondbal Manasbal and Manigam and Lar areas of Ganderbal. Protesting youth erected barricades on Ganderbal-Kangan road at Sarch Nunar. However, police rushed to the spot and rounded up a youth while chasing them. The residents of Beehama and Tawheed chowk told Kashmir Post that they were not allowed to offer Friday prayers in Jamia Masjids of their localities due to strict restrictions in Ganderbal town. However, the residents of Dudarhama said they offered Friday prayers without using public address system.
Police Version
According to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Khan, keeping in view the “violence and stone pelting incidents” of the previous Fridays, curfew was imposed in 12 Police Stations of Srinagar, towns of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Awantipora and Baramulla today. Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, 31 incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora and Handwara. “At these places, miscreants assembled on the roads after Friday prayers and pelted stones on police and force’s deployments,” it said, adding that the situation remained by and large under control across Kashmir.
Geelani Press Release
Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Friday adopted a new hard-line approach as he talked about “freedom is in sight” and said that “no fight is possible without people willing to sacrifice their lives and livelihoods”.
The tough statement was issued as the Kashmir valley heads towards a critical phase of the ongoing unrest as security officials apprehend there is a possibility of renewed violence during the three-day-long Eid-ul-Azha, beginning Tuesday.
“No fight is possible without people willing to sacrifice their lives and livelihoods… these sacrifices are the building blocks of the free nation we are destined to become,” Geelani said in a five-page statement, issued an hour after his press conference was foiled by the police.
Geelani along with other separatist leaders is steering the ongoing unrest by issuing weekly protest calendars.
“The current phase of the freedom struggle has provided a powerful push towards our goal of freedom, which is very much in sight,” Geelani said, vowing that “people would not be defeated”.
He said New Delhi was “shaken by our resolve and our united struggle”, and had started a process of engagement, which he termed as a “farce”.
Geelani warned the government had compiled a “kill list” of separatist leaders and activists “who have not succumbed to their machinations”. “This is a very serious issue,” he said, warning it would have “serious repercussions”.
The separatist also described Pakistan as a “friend and well-wisher”.
