Hundred protesters and 36 policemen including an SP were injured in clashes in Soura area of capital Srinagar on Wednesday as normal life remained out of gear in Kashmir Valley for the 117th consecutive day due to separatist-sponsored shutdown. The authorities foiled a proposed meeting of senior separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik with Syed Ali Geelani, apparently to stop them issuing fresh protest calendar. However, they issued the calendar asking the people to continue the shutdown till November 10 and hold anti-India rallies in several parts of Kashmir.
Superintendent of Police Hazratbal Naveed Pirzada was among hundred people who sustained injuries during clashes between the police and the protesters in Anchar pocket of Soura locality in the Srinagar outskirts. Police said 35 other police and security forces personnel were also injured.
At least four civilians with grievous pellet injuries during clashes were admitted in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) for treatment. Clashes erupted in the locality after security forces launched a crackdown in the early morning hours. The locals alleged that the security personnel indiscriminately started beating up civilians leading to massive outrage and turmoil in the area.
During the heavy teargas shelling, a local shrine building caught fire. However, the locals immediately swung into action and doused the flames. This triggered massive protests in the area and the security forces had a tough time to restore the situation to normalcy. locals said that the site of clashes was so close to the SKIMS that patients inside the tertiary hospital suffered due to suffocation.
The security forces foiled a proposed “pro-freedom” march in Sherpathri area of Ganderbal district where three youth were detained for their alleged involvement in stone-pelting and organising anti-India rallies. A group of protesters erected barricades at Pandach village on Ganderbal-Srinagar road. Stone pelting was reported in Ahmadnagar and Takiya on Ganderbal-Soura road in Srinagar outskirts. Stone pelting incidents were received from various areas in uptown Batmaloo and old Srinagar city in the evening hours that affected re-opening of shops and markets.
Authorities imposed strict restrictions in parts of south Kashmir’s Shopian district to foil a “freedom march”.
Reports said that people had called for a march to Chitragam Kalan village, however, massive deployment of security forces was made to foil the proposed rally. There was minor stone pelting in the area. In Anantnag’s Baba Mohalla and Goriwun areas of Bijbehara town, the security forces launched early morning cordon and searched several houses. Clashes were also reported during cordon and search operation launched by security forces in Naira village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Several civilians were injured in clashes that erupted in Hygam area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Reports said that massive clashes erupted with youth hurling rocks at security forces after the area was raided by security forces. The residents alleged that security forces damaged public property during clashes. Reports said that youth resorted to stone pelting in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
A police statement said that situation across the valley remained under control barring six incidents of law & order which took place during the day.
Police foiled a meeting among three top separatist leaders spearheading the ongoing protests in Kashmir. Reports said Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had planned a meeting at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence. However, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was not allowed to move out from his Nigeen residence where he remains under house arrest. JKlF Chief Yasin Malik had reached outside the residence of Geelani at around 3 pm, but he was not allowed to move inside where Geelani continued to be under house arrest. Malik and Mirwaiz were relocated to their homes after remaining under detention for several weeks. However, the curbs on their movement continued even after relocation.
However, despite foiling the meeting, the separatists, spearheading the protests since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, issued fresh protest calendar till November 10.
Parrikar, Suhag to review security along loC, IB
Amid heightened tension along the line of Control (loC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu & Kashmir, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh on Wednesday arrived in Kashmir to review the overall security situation.
Parrikar and Singh straightway flew to frontier area of Uri for an on the spot assessment of the situation. They were briefed by the local army officers in the presence of Northern Army and XV Corps Commanders lt Gen DS Hooda and lt Gen JS Sandhu respectively.
Parrikar also interacted with the troops deployed in the forward areas. “While complimenting their valour and fortitude, which he said was the entire nation’s pride, he also impressed upon the soldiers to remain in a very high state of alert to give a befitting response to any misadventure from across,” a defence spokesman said.
On their return to Srinagar, the visitors were briefed by the top military officers at the XV corps headquarters on the latest internal security situation and all the security measures initiated by the Army and other security agencies along the loC as well as the hinterland.
On Thursday, Parikkar is scheduled to pay homage to India's first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary. He will join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam district. Major Somnath was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honour, defence sources said.