Eid marred by pelting, teargas in Kashmir; Protesters and police clash

The protests against security forces have been steadily rising in the valley in the recent past

Clashes were witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday even as Eid celebrations were underway. Stone pelting by protesters against security forces was reported from Anathnag while clashes were reported from various places in the valley soon after Eid prayers.

Security forces resorted to the massive use of tear gas to dispel crowds pelting stones at Eid-Gah in Srinagar where clashes were reported. The valley saw no respite from tension even on Eid. Protesters put up posters of Hafiz Saeed, Burhan Wani and Sayeed Salahudeen in Pulwama of South Kashmir shouting slogans against the security forces.

The posters also included photographs of separatist leaders like Masarat Alam Bhat and Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Reports of stone pelting on a CRPF camp in Anantnag emerged on Monday. The situation continued to remain tense in multiple locations in the valley. Crowds gathered at Sopore shouted slogans in favour of 'azaadi' and Hizbul commander Zakir Musa. The Jammu and Kashmir government had asked security forces to exercise restraint on Eid to avoid clashes. Despite restraint by security forces, incidents of stone pelting and clashes were reported.

In the wake of the lynching of DSP Mohammad Ayub Pandith outside the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar during Shab-e-Qadar prayers, police have been asked to avoid Eid prayers in public places.

OneIndia News