Fresh Clashes in Kashmir Against Killing of Youth

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Sept 7: The restive Kashmir witnessed fresh clashes between the angry youth and police and para-military personnel on Friday against the killing of a youth in police firing.

A 21 year old youth was killed in police firing at Nowhatta, Srinagar on Saturday.

The youth of the area took to roads on Sunday morning and staged anti-India protests. Burning tyres on the roads, the protestors were raising pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans. They clashed with the police and Indian para-military personnel who fired tear gas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the agitating youth. Scores of the people were injured in the clashes which continued more than two hours.

The pitched battles between police and protestors were also reported from Safa-Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Kalashpora, Rainawari, Haba Kadal, Zampa-Kadal, Chatabal, Fateh Kadal, Maisuma, Gow-Kadal, Koker Bazar, Natipora, Chanapora and other parts of Srinagar. During the clashes, at least two dozen persons including 10 policemen were injured. Police said that at least 12 vehicles were also damaged during the clashes.

The clashes were also reported from other parts of Kashmir. At least seven persons were injured when protestors clashed with police in South Kashmir. The protestors tried to ransack the office of a top government official. However, the police and para-military personnel swung into action and fired tear gas shell and resorted to a baton charge to quell the demonstration.

Meanwhile, people in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir are complaining the para-military CRPF personnel are barging into their residential houses, ransacking their household goods and beating the inmates. "The CRPF personnel barged into our house, smashed the window glasses of the house and a parked vehicle," said a government employee, Ghulam Ahmad of Khanyar, 4 kms from summer capital Srinagar.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

   _   _