25 persons, including policemen, injured in Kashmir clash

Srinagar, July 8 (UNI) About 25 people, including some police personnel were injured when police fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse violent demonstrators in the downtown city during a strike observed for the second day today in protest against the killing of a teenager, allegedly in police firing on Friday.

However, police denied the allegation that the teenager was killed in police firing.

People, mostly youths, again took to streets today pelting stones on police personnel and passing vehicles.

Police resorted to lathicharge and later fired teargas shells to disperse them. However, they regrouped at another place.

Sources said about 25 people, including police personnel were injured in the clashes. Windowpanes of more than a dozen vehicles were also damaged in the stone pelting.

Souces said about 10 youths were also taken into custody by the police.

A police jawan was critically wounded when he was beaten up by the mob last night.

A UNI correspondent who visited major parts of the downtown, including Nallahmar, Khanyar and Nowhatta saw all shops and business establishments closed.

The demonstrators are demanding stern action against police personnel who allegedly opened fire on them yesterday, killing Muntazia Ahmad near historic Jamia masjid at Nowhatt in the down town city.

Another boy, Irshad Ahmed (22), was critically wounded in the clash.

UNI