Authorities impose strict curfew across Kashmir Valley, separatists leaders detained

Kashmir separatist leaders have been detained.

 

Reports said that dozens of protesters sustained injuries when police resorted to baton charge and fired tear smoke canisters to stop them from marching towards Lal Chowk area of Anatnag town. Witnesses said people from Tral , Bijbehara and Duchnipora villages- Srigufwara, Nanil, Kanilwan, Aang, Matipora, amid pro-freedom slogans, marched towards Anantnag (Islamabad town) via link routes. However, they were stopped by forces near Anchidora area.

 

“Police and paramilitary CRPF men lobbed numerous tear gas shells, fired pellets and thrashed the protesters which left dozens injured,” witnesses said.

 

They alleged that forces did not allow the injured to be ferried to district hospital and later they were treated at a local medical shop.

 

   Stone pelting incidents were also reported from Shaher-e-Khas of Srinagar city.

 

 

Clashes erupted between youth and forces on Monday afternoon in several areas of Shaher-e-Khaas.

 

Reports said that scores of youth assembled and shouted pro-freedom slogans. The forces, however, swung into action to disperse the protesting youth who in return pelted stones on the forces deployed at Shamaswari Khanqah-e-Moula here. Another group of youth clashed with Paramilitary CRPF stationed at Hari Parbat Exchange.

 

    Meanwhile, separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were taken into preventive custody after defying prohibitory orders. Both the leaders tried to step out from their houses and were detained. Geelani was lodged in police station Humhama while Mirwaiz was taken to Nigeen police station. Other separatist leaders, including Shabir Shah, have also been detained while Yaseen Malik of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) being lodged in a Srinagar lockup since violent protests erupted across the Kashmir Valley following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

 

    Pertinently resistance leadership had asked people to move towards south Kashmir’s Anantnag  (Islamabad) district and participate in a rally to be held at Lal Chowk there after the Zuhar (afternoon) prayers to express solidarity with people.

 

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)