Violence erupts again as govt lifts curfew

Teargas, pellet firing continues in Kashmir

At least 20 people were injured as violence erupted in Srinagar and some other parts of Kashmir on Tuesday after authorities lifted indefinite curfew from most areas of the Valley.

Protesters and security forces fought pitched battles in several localities of the old city in Srinagar immediately after the 17-day curfew was lifted. Witnesses said, clashes broke out when the police and the CRPF men used force to break up pro-freedom rallies. In many localities, youths had put up barricades to restrict the movement of vehicles.

Many masjids were resonating with freedom songs as hundreds of people offered prayers on roads and registered their protest against the killing of over 50 civilians in the aftermath of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s death on July 8 in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Two large processions were intercepted by security forces at Safa Kadal and Baba Demb areas of old city with the police resorting to massive teargas shelling and pellet firing. At least eight protesters sustained injuries. The situation turned tense after a huge procession - enroute to city centre Lal Chowk - was intercepted by the police near Budshah Chowk.

Reports said, in Anantnag, more than a dozen protesters sustained injuries in the clashes that erupted even as the curfew continued to be in force for the 18th consecutive day. In Malakhanag area of Anantnag, six people, including a girl, sustained pellet injuries after the police used force on the protesters. Curfew was lifted in the entire town around 5 pm.

However, protesters came out and attacked a police post with stones and bricks.