Shrine land: Violence in Srinagar, 1 killed

Srinagar, Jun 24: Protests continue in Kashmir over transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). Police fired tear gas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse demonstrators. One person was reportedly killed in Police firing in downtown on Monday, June 23 evening. Several others were wounded.

People, particularly youths, on Tuesday, June 24 again took to the streets at Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Budshah Chowk, Maysooma, Gawkadal and adjoining areas. The demonstrators also pelted stones on the passing vehicles. Police fired tear gas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob which was regrouping again and again pelting stones on police. Reports of stone pelting were also received from downtown areas.

Protesters took to the streets as leaders of both factions of the separatist Hurriyat Conference in Jammu and Kashmir were placed under house arrest. Hurriyat leaders were supposed to be part of the protests.

The protest was called by the hardline Hurriyat group led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and has united both factions of the separatist Hurriyat Conference in Jammu and Kashmir after five years. Both the groups had earlier announced separate protests against the allotment of 40 hectares of forest land in north Kashmir's Baltal area to the Amarnath Shrine Board.

OneIndia News