J&K: Protestors pelt stones on police, CRPF

Srinagar, Apr 13: Situation continues to be tense in Jammu Kashmir as agitated youth pelted stones at police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers in a Srinagar locality on Tuesday, Apr 13.

Syed Ali Geelani, chief of the hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference had called for a shutdown in the valley in protest against the conviction of six Kashmiris in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar bombing in New Delhi.

There has been reports of clashes in Maisuma locality, adjacent to the city centre Lal Chowk, even as public transport and markets remained closed due to the shutdown.

"Police used batons and tear smoke to disperse the unruly stone pelters in Maisuma area of the city this morning," a senior police officer said here.

Protesting the conviction of its party chairman, Farida Dar, by a Delhi court, along with other accused in the Lajpat Nagar bomb blast, women activists of Mass Movement, a separatist party, staged protest in the city's Press Enclave.

Police intervened to stop the protest and took several of the women activists into preventive custody.

As a precautionary measure, police and CRPF imposed restrictions on public movement after the clashes in many areas of the old city including Nowhatta, Khanyar, M R Gunj, Rainawari and Safa Kadal.

"This situation is being closely monitored to prevent antisocial elements from creating a law and order situation here," said Javaid Riyaz, the senior superintendent of police (Sinagar).

Thirteen people were killed in the blast in New Delhi market on May 2, 1996.

OneIndia News