Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 17: Three policemen were injured as clashes erupted in several parts of Kashmir valley today after Friday congregational prayers against the killing of a minor girl during an encounter at Kupwara district of North Kashmir couple of days ago.
The call for protests was given by separatists over the death of minor girl Bibi Kaneez due to “stray bullet” at Hyhama area of Kupwara district. Soon after the Friday prayers, scores of youth assembled in the premises of Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area of Old City here and staged protest against the killing. They also waved flags of Islamic State and Pakistan.
Soon after the protest, the youths resorted to heavy stone-pelting on security forces already deployed in the area. They also hurled petrol bombs on security personnel. The police retaliated by lobbing scores of teargas shells and pepper grenades.
The clashes later spread to adjoining Rajouri Kadal and Saraf Kadal areas and continued till evening. A police official said that three cops were injured in the clashes at Rajouri Kadal. The clashes also erupted at Soura and Hyderpora areas of city after Friday prayers.
The stone-throwing confrontation between youth and security personnel also occurred at Sopore Town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district after Friday prayers. Scores of masked youth soon after offering prayers assembled outside Jama Masjid Sopore and pelted stones on security forces. The security forces retaliated by lobbing teargas shells. The clashes also erupted at Papchan area of Bandipora district.
In view of the protest call, the authorities placed several separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house arrest and didn’t allow them to offer Friday prayers. Police, meanwhile, said the situation remained “under control” across the Valley.
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