Protests against arrest of youths in Srinagar

Old Srinagar witnessed massive protests on Friday against frequent police raids and arrest of dozens of youths during last several days.

Police used force on the protesters and around 24 persons were injured in the resultant clashes.

Eyewitnesses said that groups of youth took to streets after congregational Friday prayers in Khanyar and other areas of old Srinagar and held strong protests demonstration. They were demanding release of arrested youth and an end to frequent raids by the police.

Witnesses said that chanting pro-freedom slogans, groups of youth tried to march towards Nowhatta from Khanyar. However, heavy posse of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) intercepted the youth and fired tear smoke shells on them. The youth retaliated by pelting stones on the forces.

The clashes resulted in injuries to at least 24 people including seven policemen.

The protests later spread to Nowhatta and other areas of old Srinagar.

PTI photojournalist Sheikh Irfan was also injured in the clashes. He was hit by a stone and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

“Some of our boys were injured during the clashes,” a police official told .

Meanwhile, police crackdown on youth allegedly involved in stone pelting continues in old Srinagar areas. These arrests have created a fear psychosis among youths and many have gone into hiding to evade arrests.

Residents of several old Srinagar localities said police have arrested scores of youth during nocturnal raids. They said that during nocturnal raids police used tear smoke shells to quell the resistance of families.

The arrested youth have been lodged in different police stations of north Srinagar including Nowhatta and Khanyar. Residents termed the arrests as unprovoked.

A senior police official said here that they have arrested some youth for “creating law and order problem.”

“Most of the detained youth have earlier been found involved in stone pelting and disruption of peace,” he said adding that nobody will be allowed to “violate peace.”

“Many youth are still to be arrested.”