25 people, including 4 jawans injured in Kashmir violence

Srinagar, Dec 28 (UNI) About 25 people, including four security jawans, were injured when police lobbed tear gass shells and resorted to repeated baton charge to disperse violent demonstrators in the down town, protesting the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Hundreds of people, mostly youths, took to streets at Nowhatta in the down town, protesting the assassination of Bhutto immediately after Friday prayers were over in the historic Jamia Masjid, where Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq addressed the congregation condeming the assassination of Bhutto.

Raising ''pro-Pakistan and freedom'' slogans, the demonstrators blocked main road and pelted stones and police and security personnel deployed there.

However, when they tried to move towards the main chowk, the police resorted to baton charge which had no affect. Later, the police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who were regrouping and pelting stones on the police.

A UNI correspondent, who was on the spot, saw a tear gass shell exploding near the main gate of the historic mosque when people were coming out after prayers.

Mirwaiz Omar and other separatist leaders, including Javid Ahmad Mir, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Bashir Ahmad Tota left for Mirwaiz manzil from the other gate.

The police lobbed tear gass shells on agitators, who were pelting stones, sources said, adding that 25 people, including a CRPF and a police jawan, were injured.

However, situation in other areas of the valley, including civil lines and uptown, remained peaceful.

UNI