Over 50 wounded, 200 arrested as protests continue in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 29 (UNI) A general strike called against a Delhi court order to hang till death Mohammad Afzal Guru in Tihar jail on October 20 paralysed normal life in Kashmir even as violent protests continued to rock the Valley for the third consecutive day today.

At least 200 protestors, including women, and activists of several separatist organisations were taken into custody by police from different parts of the Valley.

Prayers were offered in all mosques and shrines of the Valley, seeking mercy for Guru.

Demonstrators clashed with police at several places in the city and many parts of Kashmir immediately after Friday prayers.

Police resorted to baton-charge and fired teargas shells to disperse violent protestors in many areas of the summer capital.

At least 50 protestors, including women, police personnel and some mediapersons were wounded in the stone-pelting and teargasing.

About six photo-journalists, including Tribune's Amin War and Sajjad Hussain of the AFP were wounded in the clashes between police and protestors across the city.

Photo-journalists were prevented from performing their professional duties and barred to enter the Maisuma area where the headquarters of the pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), led by Yasin Malik, are located.

A security official told a UNI photographer they have orders from their superiors not to allow any mediapersons to Maisuma.

Hurriyat Conference (Breakaway) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani continued to remain under house arrest on the second day today while Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) President Shabir Ahmed Shah and National Front chief Nayeem Ahmed Khan were both placed under house arrest this morning.

Normal life was crippled due to the general strike called by the Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference and supported by several militant organisations and the Kashmir Bar Association against the death sentence. Shops and other business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads.

Work in government offices, banks and other undertakings was affected while educational institutions wore a deserted look as the teaching staff and students preferred to stay away.

Reports of complete shutdown were received here from all major district headquarters and towns in the Valley. A report from Baramulla said for the first time ever a strike was observed in border town of Uri.

At least 30 activists of the Peoples Conference led by Sajjad Ghani Lone were arrested at Regal Chowk near here when they were protesting against the death order to Guru.

The Peoples Conference activists took out a procession from the historic Lal Chowk demanding release of Guru. However, as they marched through different streets in the city, they were stopped by police at Regal Chowk.

Police resorted to baton charge after the activists refused to disperse. Later, about 20 of them were taken into custody and lodged in the Kothi Bagh police station here.

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