Monday, Jun 26, 2017

New Delhi: Several areas in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), including capital city Srinagar, on Monday witnessed a number of incidents of stone pelting and violent clashes between security forces and protesters immediately after Eid Al Fitr prayers.

Around 50 civilians and ten policemen were injured in the clashes.

Protesters clashed with police outside ‘Eidgah’ in Srinagar. The clashes started in the morning after the locals gathered to offer ‘namaz.’

In another incident, police fired tear gas shells in downtown Srinagar, where two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers suffered injuries after being hit by stones.

Protests were also reported from Anantnag and Pulwama districts of Kashmir. Clashes erupted in South Kashmir’s Anantnag after protesters took on security forces in Janglat Mandi area. The clashes later spread to Achabal area of adjoining Anantnag district.

Police also reported several street fighting incidents in Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian. North Kashmir’s Pattan and Sopore towns also witnessed similar clashes.

Meanwhile, the state government has placed top separatist leaders such as Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest, fearing that their presence at Eid gatherings could spark violence.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik has been taken into preventive custody and lodged at Central Jail, Srinagar.

J&K Police has asked its personnel to avoid Eid prayers in public places after last week’s killing of their top officer.

“You are advised to instruct the field and subordinate formations that they shall not offer Eid prayers in isolated or general mosques or idgahs. The police personnel will offer Eid prayers in mosques in district police lines in Srinagar or Police Control Room, Kashmir,” read a police advisory.

Last week, a mob of more than 200 people had beaten Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammad Ayub Pandith to death outside Jama Masjid in Srinagar. The officer was on security duty outside the mosque and had sent his colleagues home to break their fast.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti described it as a shameful incident.

“The police are showing maximum restraint because they think they are dealing with their own people, but for how long this will continue. It will be difficult if they lose patience,” she said on Sunday.

By Karuna Madan Correspondent

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