More violence in Srinagar, police fires teargas

Srinagar, Jan 21: Police fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the violent mob in the downtown city today, official sources said.

They said after an almost peaceful night, a group of people took to streets again, at Nowhatta in the downtown city and marched towards Hawal.

When the processionists, joined by others, reached near Gojwara, police stopped them and were asked to disperse. When they refused and were moving ahead, police resorted to baton charge which had no impact on the mob and they pelted stones on the police personnel.

Police fired about a dozen teargas shells to disperse the crowd.

Yesterday, almost all separatist leaders and organisations have appealed to the people from both the sects to maintain peace.

They blamed some vested interests for the clashes which took place during Muharram.

The trouble started in downtown on January 19 when two sects of Muslims clashed at Hawal, causing damage to several vehicles and window panes of nearby houses.

Clashes between police and mob continued throughout the day yesterday in which more than 40 people, including some police personnel were injured.

UNI