Hundreds take to Srinagar streets
16 injured as protest at Kashmiri leader’s arrest turns violent
Kashmiri protesters throw rocks and tear gas canisters at Indian police during a demonstration in Srinagar on Friday. PHOTO: REUTERS
SRINAGAR:
Demonstrators set fire to an Indian flag and hurled rocks at riot police in Kashmir’s largest city Friday as protests over the arrest of a top separatist leader turned violent.
Hundreds took to the streets of Srinagar, capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, to vent their anger at Masarat Alam Bhat’s detention after he fronted a rally earlier in the week where followers waved Pakistani flags.
The violence erupted soon after worshippers emerged from Friday prayer services in the city’s mosques, chanting pro-Pakistan slogans and “we want freedom”, according to an AFP reporter on the scene. The police tried to disperse the crowds by firing tear gas and then wielding their batons. The demonstrations come after days of unrest in the Himalayan region over the killing of a youth by the army and the crackdown by authorities on separatist leaders.
At least 16 people were injured during the clashes, including three policemen, an officer who was not authorised to speak to the media told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Bhat, who was released in March after several years behind bars, was arrested early Friday at his home in Srinagar, a day after police registered a case against him.
“He (Bhat) has been arrested after a case for unlawful activity was registered against him,” K. Rajendra, the state’s director general of police, told AFP.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2015.
Demonstrators set fire to an Indian flag and hurled rocks at riot police in Kashmir’s largest city Friday as protests over the arrest of a top separatist leader turned violent.
Hundreds took to the streets of Srinagar, capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, to vent their anger at Masarat Alam Bhat’s detention after he fronted a rally earlier in the week where followers waved Pakistani flags.
The violence erupted soon after worshippers emerged from Friday prayer services in the city’s mosques, chanting pro-Pakistan slogans and “we want freedom”, according to an AFP reporter on the scene. The police tried to disperse the crowds by firing tear gas and then wielding their batons. The demonstrations come after days of unrest in the Himalayan region over the killing of a youth by the army and the crackdown by authorities on separatist leaders.
At least 16 people were injured during the clashes, including three policemen, an officer who was not authorised to speak to the media told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Bhat, who was released in March after several years behind bars, was arrested early Friday at his home in Srinagar, a day after police registered a case against him.
“He (Bhat) has been arrested after a case for unlawful activity was registered against him,” K. Rajendra, the state’s director general of police, told AFP.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2015.