SRINAGAR: Clashes erupted between people and police in North Kashmir’s Palhalan area when hundreds of protesters blocked the Srinagar-Muzafarabad road against the arrest of a shopkeeper.
A local news agency CNS reports that in a joint operation Army personnel and police raided the shop of one Nazir Ahmed Tantray and lodged him at police station Pattan.
As the word about the joint raid spread in the area, hundreds of people came on roads and raised pro-freedom slogans.
The agitated protestors blocked the road and disrupted the vehicular movement. They also raised anti-Army and anti-police slogans and burnt down tyres on roads.
The protestors alleged that police and Army have let loose a reign of terror in the town and are arresting youth without any reason.
“Scores of youth are languishing in the police stations and I can give you proof how police is minting money from the arrested youth,” one of the protestors told the news agency.
The police used tear smoke shells to disperse the protestors who threw stones at them.
Reports said that at least three youth including an Army jawan were injured in the clashes.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir J.P.Singh said that the arrested person was involved in multiple cases.
“Why should we arrest an innocent person. This fellow is involved in so many militancy related activities. He is behind every stone-pelting incident occurred in Palhalan area as he distributes money among youth and instigate them for stone-pelting,” Singh said.
