Several injured after forces foil pro-freedom rally in Baramulla
Several people were injured after government forces allegedly attacked a pro-freedom rally in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday.
Reports and witnesses said that forces vandalized the venue and set on fire several tents erected to host the rally called by Ittehad-e-Millat – an organization representing people of various religious schools of thought –in Heewan Narnav village, located seven kilometers from Baramulla.
“The rally was about to begin. Around 700 people had assembled at the place and thousands more were expected when forces turned up at around 11:30 am and vandalized the venue,” said a local.
He said forces fired pellets and teargas shells to foil the rally.
Sources at District Hospital Baramulla said that two persons with pellet injuries in eyes were brought to the hospital.
The rest of the injured, believed to be more than a dozen, have been shifted to PHC Heevan and other health centres for treatment.
Protests held at 6 places in Bandipora district
Strong protests were held at Bandipora, Saderkoot, Ajas, Ahstangoo, Khenuso, and Safapora areas of the north Kashmir district after Friday congregational prayers. People marched through lanes raising pro-freedom and anti slogans. They were demanding plebiscite as per UN resolutions.
A freedom conference was held in Ajas, Jamia Masjid where speakers castigated alleged atrocities at the hands of government forces, sources informed Kashmir Post.
Meanwhile, people of Bathnoor and Armulla in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district alleged that government forces barged into their houses overnight and ransacked households worth lakhs of rupees. They also alleged that forces beat men, women and children during nocturnal raids.
Forces ‘ransack’ houses in Pulwama villages during night raid
The residents of Bathnoor and Armulla villages of Pulwama district in south Kashmir on Friday alleged that government forces carried out vandalism during an overnight raid.
They alleged that forces entered into the villages last night and damaged properties worth crores of rupees.
“They ransacked houses, damaged vehicles and looted belongings of the people,” alleged a resident.
