Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 2: Protesters today clashed with security forces at several places across Kashmir where shutdown paralysed life and chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz delivered sermon at Jamia Masjid for the first time since July 8.
Authorities since morning deployed additional contingents of security forces in sensitive areas of Srinagar including in Old City. However, there was no restriction on the movement of people. At some places, security forces erected concertina wires and mobile bunkers to prevent violence.
Additional security men were deployed in Civil Line areas of Maisuma, Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk and adjoining areas. The security forces had also erected barricades in these places. There was less flow of private and public transport in Civil Line areas while majority of shops, petrol pumps, commercial establishments and educational institutes were closed.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, addressed a Friday gathering at Jamia Masjid for the first time since July 8. Mirwaiz along with supporters reached Jamia Masjid where he was given a warm welcome. After offering Friday prayers, Mirwaiz led a large rally from the Masjid and when the protest march reached Rajouri Kadal, police used force to disperse it.
This led to clashes as protesters pelted stones at police and they continued intermittently for several hours. In Maisuma here, JKLF chairman Yasin Malik led a procession after Friday prayers but it was intercepted by police near Akhara building and was detained along with his supporters.
Police said post-Friday clashes also broke out at Reka Chowk in Batamaloo area here. “Stone-throwers were chased away by police and CRPF”, Police said.
Police said clashes after Friday prayers broke out at Palhallan and Sopore. Protests also erupted at Tahab village of Pulwama against arrest of 20 youth.
Meanwhile, curfew remained in force at Dooru area of Anantnag district in South Kashmir after a Congress leader was killed in alleged encounter with police last evening.
Police while giving its version said today: “On 1.12.2016 at about 1720 hrs an accused person namely Sajad Malik alias Bita Malik decamped with an AK rifle along with one magazine from police station Dooru.
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