Security forces open fire to quell protesters in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 16 : At least 21 people were injured when Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) soldiers opened fire here on Friday on a mob protesting detention of a youth and seeking his whereabouts.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in a downtown area and charged towards a CRPF picket after they were outraged following lack of information on the youth allegedly picked up by the security forces on Thursday.

"We inquired from the police on the whereabouts of a youth who was taken away by the police. They said they do not know anything about him, but we know he is with them only. There was a heated argument and then some officer ordered to open fire and then there was indiscriminate firing. Some of the people dived into the water to save their lives," said Mushtaq Ahmad, an eyewitness.

Meanwhile, chairman of the moderate faction of All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq reiterated the demand for removal of troops.

"It is time the Disturbed Areas Act, Armed Forces Special Powers Act and other such acts be abolished and the troops are sent back. I would also request the Prime Minister to immediately release youths of Kashmir languishing in various prisons in the state," Farooq said.

ANI