Police fires in air to disperse earthquake victims

Baramulla, Mar 15: At least six people were injured when police fired several rounds in the air, burst teargas shells and resorted to repeated lathi-charge to disperse agitating victims of October 8 quake on the highway in north Kashmir.

Official sources said hundreds earthquake victims took to streets at Delina, about 8 km from here on the Baramulla-Srinagar highway.

The demonstrators, raising anti government slogans, blocked the national highway.

They alleged that authorities have failed to provide them adequate compensation for reconstruction of their houses damaged in the devasiating quake.

The victims told a UNI correspondent that district administration had issued them cheques for Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 against Rs 30,000 sanctioned by the government.

Police fired several rounds in the air after the demonstrators refused to allow traffic movement on the highway.

Later, they pelted stones on police, forcing them to burst teargas shells, sources said adding six people were injured in the incident.

UNI