Curfew like situation in Anantnag, 50 injured in other clashes

Srinagar, Sep 8 (UNI) About 50 people were injured, five of them with bullet wounds, when the security forces opened fire, burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse processionists in the valley.

People in the down town, including Safa Kadal, Nowhatta and Nawa Bazar took to streets today, raising pro-freedom slogans.

The processionists were demanding immediate arrest of police officer involved in the firing on Friday in which a youth Javid Ahmad was killed and several others injured.

As the processionists wanted to march towards the city, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police personnel burst teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse them. The agitators were also pelting stones on the security forces.

The agitation spread to other nearby areas in the down town and Shar-e-Khas where processionists and security forces clashed.

A police spokesman said four people were injured in retaliatory action by CRPF at Safa Kadal. The injured were hospitalised.

He said a violent group of people attacked the vehicle of Dr S Jalal, former director SKIMS at Sekidafar in Safa Kadal area today.

Two civilians were injured when his PSO opened fire. The injured were rushed to Bone and Joint Hospital at Barzulla.

A report from Baramulla said the security forces and police opened fire and burst teargas shells to disperse demonstrators, raising pro- freedom slogans and demanding release of all detenues.

They alleged that the security forces and police have launched a massive crack down in north Kashmir, arresting those who participated in recent pro-freedom demonstrations.

Sources said three people received rubber bullet injuries.

They were admitted to hospital where one of them was referred to Srinagar in a critical condition.

The report said similar clashes were also witnessed at Sopore and other north Kashmir areas.

A report from Anantnag said curfew like situation prevailed in the town and neighbouring areas where security forces were not allowing anyone to move out of their houses.

The residents alleged that widow panes of more than 100 houses and about 120 vehicles were damaged by the security forces during the past 24 hours in the district.

UNI BAS KK KN1633