65 Injured in Fresh Clashes in Strike-Hit Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Sept 20: At least 65 persons including dozens of police and para-military personnel were injured in clashes across the strike-hit Kashmir on Saturday.

The life came to a grind halt in Kashmir in response to the call given by the Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), which is spearheading the agitation.

All shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads. The government, semi-government offices, banks and educational institutions remained locked.

All roads and streets in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir wore a deserted look with only police, para-military and army vehicles plying on the otherwise busy roads.

Police and para-military personnel were deployed in strength across Srinagar city to prevent people from taking to roads and staging anti-India demonstrations.

Despite heavy presence of police and para-military personnel on roads, the youth took to roads at Nowhatta, Safakdal, Rajouri Kadal, Kaka Sarai, Hazratbal, Daresh Kadal, Hawal and other areas and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations.

They were raising pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans. They were demanding "freedom from Indian occupation". The protestors were intercepted by the cops, who fired dozens of tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the agitating people. At least 65 persons including dozens of police and para-military personnel were injured in the clashes.

A police officer bearing No JK01E-8749 was damaged by protestors at Bemina, some 4 kms from summer capital Srinagar.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

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