NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Arrest of Separatist Leaders Evokes Protests in Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Nov 2: The booking of key Kashmiri separatist leaders under the infamous Public Safety Act evoked protests in restive Kashmir on Sunday.

The pro-independence JKLF chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik and pro-Pakistani leader, Ghulam Nabi Sumji were booked under PSA on Sunday. Under the infamous law, the leaders will be detained for the period of two years without trial.

Angry youth took to the roads at Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Nowhatta, Nawa-Kadal, Bohri-Kadal and Masiuma areas in Srinagar and staged anti-India demonstrations. Raising pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans, the protesting youth clashed with police and para-military personnel, who were deployed in strength in the area to prevent people from taking to the roads and staging demonstrations.

The police fired dozens of tear smoke shells and resorted to heavy baton charges to disperse the agitating people. The clashes continued throughout the day during which half a dozen protestors were injured.

Meanwhile, the residents of Nawa-Kadal in Srinagar alleged that para-military personnel barged into their houses after the clashes and harassed the inhabitants. "The para-military soldiers beat up in the inhabitants and misbehaved with the women folk," the locals said.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.