Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 11: Two days after High Court directed Government to impose ban on beef strictly, protests broke out across Kashmir soon after congregation prayers against the order.
The call for protests was given by separatists and religious organizations who have termed the decision as “politically motivated”.
The largest protest rally was taken out from Central Jama Masjid (mosque) in Nowhatta area of Old City soon after congregational prayers were over.
The protesters tried to proceed towards Nowhatta square but were intercepted by police and Central Police Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The protesters pelted stones on security men ensuing clashes which continued for several hours. The police fired dozens of teargas and pepper gas shells to disperse the stone-throwing protesters.
During the clashes, several persons including a photographer sustained injuries. The photographer was hit by a stone and was immediately removed to hospital for treatment.
Earlier, the chief cleric and chairman of his Hurriyat faction Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressed the worshippers at Jama Masjid over phone as he was placed under house-detention by police. The Mirwaiz condemned the ban on beef and termed it interference in religious affairs of Muslims.
The violent protests against the beef ban were also staged in Pulwama and Kulgam districts of the south Kashmir while as bovines were also slaughtered at both these places.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Syed Javid Mujtaba Geelani told Excelsior that the persons who slaughtered bovines in defiance of the order would be dealt under law.
In view of the separatists call for shutdown, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amit Kumar told Excelsior that the restrictions would be imposed tomorrow in the areas falling under six police stations in city here. “The restrictions would be imposed in five police stations of downtown which include Nowhatta, Khanyar, Maharaj Gunj, Rainawari and Safakadal. In civil lines, the restrictions would be imposed in areas falling under Maisuma police station,” he said.
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