- Mirwaiz detained after trying to take out rally
- Pulwama boy receives pellet injury in leg during clashes
- Troops conduct CASO in Dadasara, Tral
- Situation remained peaceful: Police
Kashmir observed complete shutdown on Thursday to remember the martyrs of July 13, 1931 and authorities imposed restrictions in parts of the Valley to foil protests.
All shops and business establishments in Srinagar and others parts of the Valley remained closed while public transport was off the roads in response to the strike called by the united separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik.
Authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of downtown, Srinagar to thwart protests called by the separatist leaders.
“Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in the areas falling under five police stations of Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Safa Kadal, Khanyar and Rainawari in downtown Srinagar to foil rallies on Martyrs day,” a police official said.
The restrictions were also extended to areas falling under Kral Khud police station in the old city and Maisuma in the civil lines.
The police and CRPF men were deployed in strength in the curfew-hit areas to enforce the restrictions on Martyrs day.
July 13 is observed is observed as ‘Martyrs Day’ in the state to honour the sacrifices of 22 people killed in 1931 during firing by autocratic forces of Maharaja outside the Srinagar Central Jail, where an in-camera trial of Abdul Qadeer, a freedom fighter, was being held after his arrest in the agitation named ‘Tehreek-e-Toheen Quran Sharif’.
The clashes erupted at Habba Kadal area in downtown Srinagar in the evening when youth pelted stones on the force personnel.
The cops fired tear smoke shells to disperse the stone pelting youth.
Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq attempted to break house arrest detention and march towards the martyrs’ graveyard at Naqshband Sahib in downtown Srinagar.
The policemen detained Mirwaiz and lodged him at Police Station Nageen. He was later released and placed under house arrest at his Nigeen residence.
“How long will government continue policy of restrictions and repression against the people and leadership of Kashmir. The tyranny and oppression have reached new heights in Kashmir and all rights and liberties of people have disappeared,” Mirwaiz told reporters before being detained.
“While I have been under arbitrary and illegal house arrest for months on end since last year, Geelani Sahab has been detained at home for years together and Yasin Malik is jailed at whim. Other separatist leaders and activists are also targeted. When this politics of revenge and harassment is is going to end,” he said.
The situation in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district remained by and large peaceful. The forces had placed concertina wires and barricades at vital points of Mattan four-way, Sarnal and Ashajipora leading to the main town.
Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in some areas of Pulwama district.
The clashes took place after forces were withdrawing in the evening. The police and CRPF men fired tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse the protesters.
12-year-old boy identified as Maroof Ubaid s/o Maroof Ahmad of Chatpora, Pulwama was hit by a pellet in left leg in CRPF firing.
He is undergoing treatment at District Hospital Pulwama.
Medical Superintendent District Hospital Pulwama Abdur Rashid Parra told Kashmir Post that the boy has received pellet injury.
“He has received pellet injury in limb and lower abdomen. His condition is stable,” he said.
Meanwhile, troops launched Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Dadsara area of Tral this morning.
However, the operation was called off after couple of hours.
Stone pelting and clashes erupted at Gabarpora area of Pulwama in the afternoon. The force personnel fired tear smoke shells to disperse them.
In Shopian, authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions to maintain law and order.
Restrictions on assembly of people were also imposed in Baramulla, Sopore and Handwara townships in north Kashmir.
Minor clashes were reported from main town Sopore after youth pelted stones on force personnel.
The youth clashed with force personnel at Narbal area of Budgam district. The cops fired tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the youth, who were chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans and pelted stones on the force personnel.
Six youth received minor injuries during the clashes.
A police spokesman said situation across Kashmir remained peaceful throughout the day.
He said measures were taken to prevent any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, mobile internet services remained suspended across the Valley today. However, the services were restored in the evening.
