Violent protests rock Srinagar after PM’s speech

Kashmiris rise in revolt against Indian oppression

Dozens of incidents of stone-pelting and protests have been reported from Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s main city in Srinagar in the last 48 hours, indicating a sudden worsening of the law and order in the wake of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.

Scores of youth took to the streets in at least 15 locations across Srinagar on Friday, immediately after PM Imran concluded his speech, The Hindu reported. They clashed with Indian security forces and raised slogans in favour of the Pakistani premier. The forces used tear gas shells to break up the protests in Batapora, Lal Bazar, Soura, Chanapora, Bagh-e-Mehtab and parts of the old city, the report added.

Hundreds demonstrate in Manchester against IOK lockdown

Several youth managed to enter mosques and use its public address system to raise anti-India slogans and play religious songs, a police officer, posted in the old city, told The Hindu.

Eight such incidents were recorded by security forces in Srinagar during the daytime on Saturday both in the old city and the uptown area. “There were nine major blockades erected by protesters,” the police officer said.

It’s for the first time since August 20, when around 40 incidents of protests were reported, that the occupied valley saw a sudden spurt in street protests. The police also recorded two incidents where youth burst crackers.

Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is in the grip of an uneasy calm since the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked the valley’s special status on August 5.