Massive clashes erupt in Pulwama, Protesters attack army, SOG camps in Shopian

Hundreds of protesters on Friday attacked army camp situated at Chodergund, Shopian stationing 62 RR. Local sources said that protesters reached very close to the camp and attacked its outer boundaries and bunkers.

Army personnel used aerial firing to disperse the attackers however there were no casualties. Protesters attacked SOG camp Imam Sahab, Shopian. The SOG personnel fired pellets injuring two youth. The injured have been identified as the residents of Malibugh and Imam Sahab. Both have been referred to Srinagar.

Protesters set ablaze a building belonged to Sheep department (Locally known as Sheep office) near Shirmal, in Shopian. Sources said that it was partially damaged. Protesters also attacked police station Keller in the same district. Police used tear smoke shells and aerial firing to disperse the protesters.

Violent clashes also erupted in Alyalpora area Shopian.

Immediately after Friday congregational prayers, massive protests erupted in different parts of south Kashmir Pulwama and Shopian districts, as people took to the roads against the recent killing spree in which more than 50 people have died and thousands injured.

Eye witnesses said that in Pulwama’s Tahab area, hundreds of youth from more than twenty villages- including Lassipora, Tumlahal, Babgam, Litter, Nayer, Payer, Chakoora, Rakh and adjoining villages started marching towards the Tahab town after announcements were made from almost all Masjids in these villages. Revolutionary songs were being played from many mosque loud speakers in the Masjids.

The protesters were marching from all the three major road links (Lassipora, Chakoora and Pulwama) and attacked a CRPF camp at Tahab.Reports said that CRPF opened fire and burst teargas and pepper gas canisters to disperse the protesting crowd in which few people got injured.

Locals accused the local CRPF camp for vandalizing and smashing the windowpanes in many villages during night hours. ” Even the CRPF didn’t spare Pandit families residing here,” locals alleged. Massive protests were also going on in Hall Village on Shopian- Pulwama road, where youth clashed with para-military forces. The teargas shelling and protests were going on , when the last reports came in.

In a similar incident, hundreds of youth from adjoining areas of Shopian thronged to the district headquarter to show their resentment against the killing spree by government forces and its high handedness. Protesters also set ablaze the godown of Animal Husbandry Department at Shirmal, 5 Kilometers from district headquarter Shopian, reports said.

The protesters were chased away by the huge deployment of police and para-military forces using tear smoke shells.Violent protests were going on, on district hospital road when the reports last came in.