Peaceful protests after the Friday prayers in Soura area of Srinagar have once again turned violent after a large number of local residents attempted to block entry of security personnel via bylanes to quell their protests.
According to eyewitness’ reports, "after the Friday prayers, a large number of people started shouting pro-Azadi slogans while passing through the streets of Soura area of Srinagar". To contain them, when security forces attempted to move in the area, they offered strong resistance and started pelting stones. Security forces had to resort to the use of teargassing, pepper grenades and pellet guns to contain the protesters. It could not be ascertained how many protesters received injuries during the protest demonstrations which continued for about 2 hours in the area.
According to unconfirmed reports, "large number of residents in the area also joined the small group of protesters who were pelting stones. Those who could not step out of their houses registered their protest by beating empty utensils and joining the chorus of anti-India slogans".
A twitter handle of Kashmir Zone police late evening posted a message claiming, "situation in the valley has been peaceful. No untoward incident was reported today".
Meanwhile, worshippers spread across different parts of Srinagar and other district headquarters of Kashmir could not offer prayers for third week in succession inside historic mosques in their respective areas. Only small gatherings of worshippers was permitted in vulnerable pockets in down town areas of Srinagar.
Elaborate security arrangements were made to prevent mass assembly of people in and around local mosques. Posters had also surfaced in several areas, urging the local residents to march towards the office of United Nations to register their protest peacefully. The security forces had raised barricades blocking all the roads leading to the office of United Nations.