14 injured as clashes erupt in Srinagar over Masarat Alam's arrest

Indian police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse protesters during rally in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: At least 14  Kashmiris were injured on Friday as clashes erupted in Srinagar following the arrest of Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam by the Indian police, Express News reported.

Police had arrested Alam in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 17 after he waved Pakistani flags and chanted pro-Pakistan slogans at a rally in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Kashmiri protestors throw stones towards Indian police during clashes in Srinagar. PHOTO: AFP

Read: Hurriyat leader waves Pakistani flag at Indian Kashmir rally

Led by Hurriyat conference leader, Mirwaiz Umar, protests were held in Srinagar today (April 17). The protesters claimed that Alam was illegally arrested.

In order to disperse the protesters during the rally today, Indian police resorted to tear gas shelling.

Alam is expected to be produced before a magistrate today and taken to an interrogation centre.

PHOTO: AFP

Earlier, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Waheed Para slammed allegations that the Indian administered Kashmir government arrested Alam on the Centre’s pressure.

"The action has not been taken due to any pressure. The government has acted as per the procedure. There should be no sensationalism in this. It is being shown that the Jammu and Kashmir police does no work by itself but acts only under pressure from the home ministry," he said.

Related: Hurriyat leader waves Pakistani flag at Indian Kashmir rally

Para argued that separatists are also Indians and cannot be treated as Pakistanis.

"Even separatists are citizens of this country. They may have a different ideology but how can they be considered Pakistanis? You can't fight them as enemies," he said.

Further, he added at that Masarat and All Parties Hurriyat Conference member Syed Ali Shah Geelani had been in jail for over six years and had not helped Jammu and Kashmir. He also said that the national media must treat separatists as Indians and treat them with respect.

Kashmiri protestors burn the Indian flag ahead of clashes with police. PHOTO: AFP

Para said that PDP came into power because of the people and that should be respected and not questioned.

Related: Protests in Indian Kashmir after separatist's brother killed

"The government is fighting for space and survival. Have some faith in the authorities and support our initiatives," he said.

A day after he was placed under house arrest, Alam was booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and arrested for raising pro-Pakistani slogans and waving the Pakistani flag in Srinagar.

Alam was released in March after several years behind bars, was arrested at his home in the main city of Srinagar, a day after police registered a case against him for "anti-national" activities.

"He (Alam) has been arrested after a case for unlawful activity was registered against him," K. Rajendra, the state's director general of police, told AFP.

The case stems from a rally on Wednesday organised to welcome another separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on his return to Srinagar from New Delhi where he had spent the last three months receiving medical care.

Kashmiri women shout pro-freedom slogans as they wave placards during a rally in Srinagar. PHOTO: AFP

Although the rally passed off peacefully, television images of Alam leading a chorus of his supporters chanting "jeeve jeeve Pakistan (long live Pakistan)" and other slogans against India's rule of the disputed region triggered widespread condemnation from politicians and the media.



Geelani, another prominent separatist leader, still remains under house arrest. Both the Hurriyat hardliners were slated to hold a rally in Tral.