Security forces burst teargas to disperse demonstrators in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 31 (UNI) Security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to repeated lathi charge to disperse demonstrators, raising ''pro-freedom'' slogans near here this afternoon.

About half a dozen people were injured, while one was arrested.

Business and other activities in the civil lines, including Lal Chowk came to a halt this afternoon.

As the Friday prayers were over in about half a dozen mosques in the civil lines, people took to streets at Maisuma, the headquarter of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) this afternoon.

Led by JKLF vice president Bashir Ahmad Bhat, the processionists were stopped by police, when they tried to march towards Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital.

Mr Bhat said despite the arrest of senior separatist leaders, including JKLF chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik, anti-poll campaign would continue in the valley.

When a group of processionists tried to break the condon, the security forces resorted to lathi charge to disperse them.

Later, they burst teargas shells to disperse them.

Shops and business establishments in the civil lines, including Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Maisuma, Haji Masjid, Red Cross road, Exchange road, Gaw Kadal and Madina Chowk were closed this afternoon.

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