2 journalists among 50 injured, strike cripples life in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 3 (UNI) Two photo-journalists and about a dozen police personnel were among 50 people injured in a clash between riot police and demonstrators in the Kashmir valley.

Life in the valley was crippled today due to strike in protest against the publication of cartoons in a Danish newspaper and picture of Islam's holiest shrine of Mecca on a playing card in a national magazine.

Police burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse demonstrators near historic Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta in city this afternoon.

Immediately after the Friday prayers were over, people took to streets, protesting against the Danish newspaper and the national magazine.

Police responded with action when the demonstrators were proceeding towards the Khanyar chowk.

Official sources said 20 people including Press Trust of India (PTI) photo-journalist Irfan Ahmad and Mukhtair Ahmad of Associated Press and two police personnel were injured in the stone pelting.

A report from Baramulla said about ten thousand people took to streets in the town immediately after the Friday prayers were over in all the mosques. The demonstrators were raising slogans against Danish newspaper and the magazine.

Police teargassed and laton-charged demonstrators who were throwing stones on police and government buildings near transport yard in the town.

About 30 people were injured in the clashes, reports said.

About one thousand youths took out a procession in the city and marched through Badshah Chowk, Exchange Road, Barbar Shah and Red cross road.

The demonstrators were raising ''pro-freedom'' and religious slogans.

Similar demonstrations were held in other parts of the Kashmir valley after friday prayers.

Streets wore a x x x eds: here picking up from para five of Dr 29 '' Agitation Kashmir Lead strike.

UNI BAS LR KP1839