Protests and clashes broke out in various parts of Kashmir on Friday against issuance of “domicile certificates” to non-state subject West Pakistani Refugees residing in Jammu areas, even as Valley’s top separatist leaders strongly reacted to the government’s move and threatened state-wide agitation “if it is not rolled back forthwith.”
The joint resistance leadership—Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik—had urged people to stage protests against “settlement” of WPRs in Jammu and Kashmir through issuance of domicile certificates, on Friday. The leaders had also called for a complete strike against the move that has come in from severe criticism from several quarters. The shutdown call evoked a complete response as shops remained shut while traffic remained off the roads.
Reports of protests came in from South, North and Central Kashmir areas.
Witnesses said massive protests and clashes erupted in Nowhatta area of old Srinagar after Friday prayers.
Earlier, a protest march was led by Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq outside historic Jamia Masjid in the locality.
Reports said soon after the rally ended, scores of youth hurled stones and bricks at police and paramilitary CRPF men, triggering clashes. The protesters were carrying placards displaying slogans that sought immediate rollback of issuance issuing domicile certificates to WPRs who are mostly living in Jammu province. Forces chased the youth and fired dozens of tear-gas shells, and the protesters later dispersed peacefully, reports said.
Protests and clashes were reported from Batamaloo area also. Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Muhammad Yasin Malik also led a protest march from Dastgeer Sahab (RA) shrine at Sarai Bala here against the “settlement” of WPRs. The police, however, detained Malik and pushed back the protesters, who later dispersed peacefully.
Senior Hurriyat (M) leader Er Hilal Ahmed War was again barred from coming out of his Maisuma residence, a report said. He was supposed to lead a protest march against the domicile status to WPRs.
Reports from north Kashmir said amid complete shutdown in Baramulla district, clashes between protesting youth and police were reported from Sopore area on Friday afternoon. They said clashes broke out this afternoon at main chowk Sopore after scores of people, including family and relatives of a boy who was injured on December 16, took to streets and demanded arrest of forces personnel involved in inflicting serious injury to the boy. Separate protests were staged against issuance of domicile certificates to WPRs. The protest started soon after Friday prayers from Jamia Masjid Sopore. Police lobbed scores of teargas shells to quell the protesting youths, but clashes spread to other areas which include Arampora and New Colony and continued for several hours, reports said.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the district which include Rafiabad, Tangmarg, Pattan and Palhallan, a complete shutdown was observed. All shops were closed and there was thin presence of traffic on roads. A peaceful sit-in was staged at Nadihal where senior Huriyat leader Ghulam Nabi Waseem addressed a public gathering and briefed people about the “moves aimed at changing the demography of the State, including issuance of domicile certificates to WPRs.”
Reports from Bandipora district said protests and clashes erupted in Pazalpora village after Friday congregation prayers against issuance of domicile certificates to WPRs. Youth clashed with forces near BRO office by hurling stones and bricks at them as soon as Friday prayers culminated.
“In retaliation, the forces fired dozens of tear smoke and sound shells to disperse the protestors,” they said.
Clashes lasted for several hours but there were no reports of any injury to anyone.
Reports said clashes also erupted in Mantrigam, Papchan and Ajar villages.
Meanwhile, a peaceful protest rally was held in Aloosa village amid pro-freedom slogans. It was addressed by local Hurriyat leaders. Similar protest rally was held in Ajas.
Reports from South Kashmir districts said that protest rallies were witnessed at Qaimoh, Khudwani, Redwani, and Bijbehara. Protest rallies were reported in Pulwama and Shopian also. Reports said all these rallies ended peacefully.
Scores of people took out a protest rally after Friday prayers ended at Khankah Faiz Panah in Tral township of Pulwama district.
The protesters were raising slogans against issuance of domicile certificates TO West Pakistan refugees and a Supreme Court verdict on sovereignty of Jammu and Kashmir. “We cannot tolerate issuance of domicile certificates to West Pakistani refugees,” said a protester.
Reports from Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district said after Friday prayers, forces were seen deployed outside Jamia Masjids in its main towns including at Ganderbal and Kangan. However, they were withdrawn immediately after culmination of the prayers. There were no reports of protests from any part of the district. Police said the deployment was in place as a precautionary measure.
Reports from Budgam district said mild clashes were reported from Aripanthan and Budran, Magam after Friday prayers.
