- Several injured in Tahab clashes on 145 Day
- Announce weekend relaxation, Lal Chowk chalo on Dec 5
Clashes erupted in Tahab village of Pulwama in south Kashmir after the culmination of a pro-freedom rally on Wednesday. During the clashes, which were going on till evening, four persons received injuries.
Reports and witnesses said that early in the morning announcement was made on load speakers asking people to assemble at local ground of Tahab to participate in a one-day “freedom convention”, as called by separatist leaders.
A few hundred people assembled at the venue and raised pro-freedom slogans. Some local Hurriyat activists delivered speeches and urged people to make the movement successful.
The rally culminated around 2 p.m after which some youth pelted stones on the local CRPF camp which resulted in clashes.
Forces used teargas to disperse the protestors.
“The situation in district Pulwama remained peaceful. There were minor clashes at Tahab village. One person has received minor injury,” Rais Ahmad, Superintendent of Police Pulwama told Kashmir Post.
Kashmir Wednesday observed shutdown on 145th day of the ongoing agitation as shops, other business establishments and schools remained closed while government offices remained functional.
In evening, markets re-opened during the relaxation period announced by joint resistance leadership. As the clock ticked 4, shopkeepers upped the shutters of shops and customers started making a beeline.
Meanwhile, The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, who are spearheading the ongoing agitation in Kashmir, Wednesday extended the shutdown till December 8 and announced weekend relaxation in the strike.
The leadership in a joint statement issued to KNS called for two days of relaxation again on Saturday and Sunday.
Besides, the leaders also called for dusk to dawn (4pm to 7am) relaxation on Wednesday and Thursday.
In a joint statement issued here, the three separatist leaders announced extending of strike upto December 8.
Kashmir has been witnessing shutdown and unrest since July 9, a day after killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
“On Friday (December 2), there won’t be any relaxation. People should march to their respective Tehsil headquarters to highlight the worst and revengeful behaviour of jail authorities towards the detainees and demand their release. After Friday prayer, people should hold freedom congregation at the place identified and agreed upon locally and mutually,” the leaders said.
They said there will be full day relaxation in shutdown on Saturday and Sunday and urged people to use exclusively public transport on these days for the support of transport community.
“On Monday (December 5), there won’t be any relaxation. After Maghrib Prayer on December 4, people from entire State should march towards Lalchowk, Srinagar. People should park vehicles at Pantha Chowk, Nowgam, Sanat Nagar, Hyderpora, Bemina, Parimpora, Soura & Hazratbal and march onwards by foot to Lal Chowk,” the leaders said.
They said there won’t be any relaxation in shutdown on Tuesday (December 6). “On the day, women should assemble and occupy local chowks and centres from Zuhr to Asr in the vicinity of their mohallas, villages and localities. They should protest with flags, placards and banners with freedom messages and slogans”.
“On Wednesday (December 7), there would be relaxation from 4 pm to 8 am. On the day, people should march from from Kupwara to Qaziabad, Baramulla to Parenpillan, Bandipora to Ajas, Budgam to Waterhail, Ganderbal to Tulmulla, Srinagar to Nowgam, Pulwama to Moran, Shopian to Wachi, Kulgam to Damhal Hanjipora and Anantnag to Chattergul. After Zuhr prayer, people should hold freedom congregation at the place identified and agreed upon locally and mutually,” the leaders said.
They said on Thursday (December 8), there would be relaxation from 4 pm to 8 am. “People should organize one day Azadi Convention in their respective areas from 11 am to 4 pm. They should deliberate and discuss ways and means to strengthen the ongoing People’s uprising”.
