Protests in Kashmir Valley over 'Charlie Hebdo' cartoons

Strike, protests and incidents of stone-pelting were reported from across the Kashmir Valley on Friday in protest against the publishing of blasphemous caricatures in French satirical weekly “Charlie Hebdo”.

Separatist and religious organisations had called for a strike against what they called “Jewish journalistic hooliganism”, and had asked people to hold protests against the act on Friday.

Reports said protests erupted in various localities of Srinagar against the caricatures soon after congregational Friday prayers. The protesters raised slogans and burned the effigy of Charlie Hebdo cartoonists at several places.

Similar reports were received from other districts of Kashmir. Angry youths fought pitched battles with the police and paramilitary forces at several places across the Valley, as business establishments, petrol pumps and banks remained closed, said reports. 

Private and public transport remained off the road, while government and private offices witnessed thin attendance.

Kashmir Range Inspector General Police Abdul Gani Mir said some incidents of stone-pelting were reported.

“Apart from stone-pelting incidents in some areas, the day passed peacefully as no untoward incident was reported from any place,” he told reporters.

The authorities had placed several separatist leaders under house arrest or detained them in police stations to prevent them from leading protest rallies.