SRINAGAR: Scores of people including police and paramilitaries have been wounded during fresh protests in Kashmir amid an indefinite curfew clamped on the valley on Friday.
Defying curfew, hundreds of people took to the streets in Khudwani area in the southern district of Kulgam. At least 17 members of the paramilitary CRPF, who have been assisting the local police, were injured besides many civilians including a local photojournalist.
A reporter in the area told freepresskashmir.com that a local policeman snatched a rifle from a CRPF constable as he tried to fire into the crowd.
This led to heated exchanges between the police and the paramilitaries, who later roughed up the policeman.
Observers say unlike in the past the police have exercised restraint while dealing with protesters. However they say the military and paramilitary forces have not been showing the same moderation.
Reports from the neighbouring town of Shopian say that people including women held a protest demonstration in the village of Gagran. Police used force to disperse them.
In Islamabad, protests were reported from Cheeni Chowk, Kadipora, Reshi Bazaar, KP Road and Gulshanabad localities.
A clash happened between the protesters and the CRPF in the northern town of Tangmarg. At least one member of the CRPF and several civilians received injuries.
Local residents have alleged that the CRPF ransacked nearby homes and beat up inmates. A young girl was injured in the mouth and lost two of her teeth.
Police say a group of people threw stones at an ambulance in Pattan town of north Kashmir causing damage to the vehicle and injuries to the driver. Three policemen and two civilians were injured in clashes that followed.
Clashes have also occurred in the northern town of Baramulla after the Friday prayers. Reports say thousands of people gathered in the local Eidgah in the old quarters of the town for Friday prayers.
Witnesses said senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who has been in house arrest in Srinagar, addressed them by telephone.
Reports from Lolab area in northern valley say CRPF men allegedly torched a cowshed during protests. Residents say nearly 14 people have been injured in clashes with the police and paramilitaries. One among them, a lady Zoona Begum is said to be critical and has been referred to Srinagar for treatment.
In Bandipora district’s Hajin area, angry youth threw rocks at a school run by the Army, damaging the building.
Protest demonstrations were also held at Mantrigam and Papchan areas. In Kaloosa, a policeman was injured after protesters pelted the police and paramilitaries with stones, who in turn used force to disperse them.
Clashes between protesters and the police have also been reported from Amargarh, Seelo and Bomai near Sopore and in Handwara. Many people, including 12 police and CRPF personnel, were wounded.
In Srinagar, people defied curfew and battled with the police in Bota Shah colony, Habak, Barzulla and Rawalpora localities in Srinagar.
