6 injured, MLA and 20 others arrested in north Kashmir

Baramulla, July 10 (UNI) At least six people were injured when police burst teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse demonstrators at Puthkha on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway today.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Lone, an independent MLA from Sangrama Constituency and 20 others were taken into preventive custody during demonstration at Puthkha this afternoon.

Lone and others were demanding tehsil status for Wagoora.

Earlier today, hundreds of people, mostly women, again caame to the streets at Puthkha and blocked traffic on the highway in protest against state government decision to grant tehsil status to Kreeri after ignoring the claim of Wagoora.

The demonstrators, shouting slogans against the coalition government, alleged that tehsil status was granted to Kreeri on political considerations.

Demanding similar status for Wagoora, the demonstrators said they will continue their six-day agitation till their demand is met.

However, when the demonstrators refused to allow traffic on the highway, police fired teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse them.

Six persons were injured in the police action, sources said.

UNI XC/BAS SRS ND1824