Police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the protesters who pelted them with stones during the demonstrations held at Nawakadal, Rajourkadal, Kawadara, Mandar Bagh and Maisuma. The clash between the two sides continued for some time. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the affected areas to bring the situation under control.
Normal life was affected as schools, shops, business establishments and banks remained closed in most parts of the Valley. Attendance in government offices also remained thin. Transport services were also affected due to the protest supported by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman, moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, and other leaders. The separatist leaders continued to be under house arrest.
“After a few incidents of stone pelting, the situation remained peaceful,” said Mohammad Abid, a police official.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti lashed out at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for not addressing the grievances of the people and wasting time tweeting.
“Rather than stopping the human rights violations, he is busy tweeting,” she alleged.