Protests, Clashes in Pulwama, Bandipora scores injured; Shutdown extended till Nov 17
- Shutdown, Clashes, Protests continued on 125th Day
- Resistance leaders extend protest program till 17th Nov
- Protest rally foiled in Ganderbal
- Aerial firing in Bandipora
Amid shutdown on the 125th consecutive day in Kashmir on Wednesday, 10 more persons were injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in Pulwama district.
Reports said that at least 10 people were injured in clashes that erupted in Pulwama district even as pro-freedom rallies were also held in various South Kashmir villages. Clashes erupted in Tahab village Wednesday morning when some police vehicles on way to SOG camp at Litter came under stone pelting attack. Reports said that forces resorted to intense tear shelling to quell the protesters resulting in injuries to at least 4 persons. Clashes also erupted in Litter village after forces attempted to foil ‘Litter chalo’ march and tried to arrest a Hurriyat leader.
Reports and witnesses said forces in huge numbers reached the area and tried to foil a proposed pro-freedom march triggering clashes. In the clashes, six persons including a woman were injured. Two persons were detained by the forces.
“People, however, foiled the attempt of police to arrest Tehreek-I-Hurriyat District President Shopian Muhamad Yousuf Falahi,” witnesses said. Falahi, who is wanted by police in organizing protests, is evading arrest for long even his house has been raided several times, inmates beaten up and property damaged.
People staged a rally after forces retreated from the village in the afternoon. Hundreds participated in the event amid-pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. Another pro-freedom rally was held in Shopian district. Following the joint resistance leadership calendar, the people of Shopian had called for ‘Harmain Chalo’ today. However, forces in large numbers were deployed in the village and restrictions imposed to foil the march. Reports said that the people then marched towards adjoining Hajipora village and organized a pro-freedom rally there.
Late evening reports said that four youth were arrested during overnight raids at SK Colony and Anchidora localities of Anantnag town. Locals said a youth Asif Sheikh of Anchidora was detained instead of his brother.
Reports from Ganderbal said that to foil “GundChalo” program called by the leadership of joint resistance camp, police intensified checking of vehicles entering Gundtownship at Sumbal Bala on Srinagar-Leh highway in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. A local youth from Gund identified as SahabaTantry was detained after a mild stone pelting incident in the area. No reports of any protest came in from the area. Youth resorted to mild stone pelting at main market Kangan triggering stampede.
Reports from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district said that police allegedly resorted to unprovoked aerial firing and teargas shelling in Ajas village. Locals said that police fired several teargas shells and resorted to aerial firing. The firing created panic in the area forcing shopkeepers to down their shutters in the main market. Police sources said that some youth are wanted and they had gone to Rather Mohalla Ajas. Residents resisted the move forcing police to fire some shots in the air. There were no reports of injuries.
Markets at various places in Srinagar opened while private traffic movement was considerable in uptown areas that include Sanatnagar, Athwajan, Pandhrethan while inter-district cabs were also seen plying on Srinagar-Jammu and Srinagar-Baramulla highways.
Meanwhile, the resistance leadership spearheading the ongoing movement against civilian killings have extended the protest program till November 17.
The leadership comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik called for “Youm-e-Istiqlal at Jamia Masjid Srinagar” on November 11, Friday.
“After Maghrib Prayer (Thursday, November 10), march one and all form entire Jammu & Kashmir towards Jamia Masjid Srinagar to observe Youm-e-Istiqlal; Post Friday prayers, Freedom Congregation will be held in Shehar-i-Khas where Joint Resistance Leadership will address the nation; Resistance/Masjid Committees/Youth Volunteers of Srinagar (especially Shehar-i-Khas) coordinate & ensure the arrangements,” they said. On this day, there will be no relaxation.
On Saturday, November 12, the resistance leadership called for “Assessment Drive”. “Auqaf/Bait-ul-Maal/Resistance/Masjid Committees/Youth Volunteers throughout Jammu & Kashmir visit each and every household in their area and prepare the list of people in need of financial and or any other kind of support; Also visit the families of martyrs, injured especially those whose vision has been impaired or blinded by pellets and the arrested ones during the present peoples uprising against Indian military occupation and prepare a detailed list of their needs; Make the arrangements for their support,” they said. On this day there will be relaxation from 4 pm to 7 am.
On Sunday, November 13, the resistance leadership appealed people to observe “Community Schools Day.”
“Resistance/Masjid Committees, community elders and Teacher Volunteers organize a Community School Day and assess the needs and requirements of these community schools; These schools have played a pivotal role in providing education to the students during the ongoing peoples uprising against Indian forcible control and have become an alternative institutionalised mode of education; Forward the suggestions, if any, in this regard to the Joint Resistance Leadership,” they said. On this day there will be relaxation from 4 pm to 7 am.
On Monday, November 14, the resistance leaders called for “LalChowk March.”
“After Maghrib Prayers (Sunday, November 13), march one & all form entire Jammu & Kashmir towards LalChowk Srinagar; Park vehicles at PanthaChowk, Nowgam, Sanat Nagar, Hyderpora, Bemina, Parimpora, Soura & Hazratbal and march onwards by foot; Resistance/Masjid Committees/Youth Volunteers of Srinagar and all other districts coordinate & ensure the arrangements,” they said. On this day, there will be no relaxation.
On Tuesday, November 15, the resistance leadership urged women to observe “Women’s Day.”
“Assemble & Occupy local chowks and centres from Zuhr to Asr in the vicinity of your mohallas, villages and localities; Protest with Flags, Placards and Banners with freedom messages and slogans,” they said. On this day, there will be relaxation from 4 pm to 7 am.
On Wednesday, November 16, the resistance leadership called for ‘Freedom March’ to RajwarZachaldara, Tujjar Sharief, Ganastan, Pakherpora, Phag (HQ at Shuhama), Srinagar to Soura (including 90 feet stretch up to Pandach), Keller, Ramnagri, Bugam, Sagam Freedom March.
“From 7 am, march one & all from Kupwara to RajwarZachaldara, Baramulla to Tujjar Sharief, Bandipora to Ganastan, Budgam to Pakherpora, Ganderbal to Phag (HQ at Shuhama), Srinagar to Soura (including 90 feet stretch uptoPandach), Pulwama to Keller, Shopian to Ramnagri, Kulgam to Bugam and Islamabad to Sagam; Post Zuhr prayer, hold Freedom Congregation at the place identified and agreed upon locally and mutually; Resistance/Masjid Committees/Youth Volunteers of these Blocks coordinate and ensure the arrangements,” they said. On this day there will be relaxation from 4 pm to 7 am.
On Thursday, November 17, the resistance leaders called for “One Day Azadi Convention.”
“Neighbouring villages and localities organize one day Azadi convention from 11 am to 4 pm in respective areas; Deliberate and discuss ways and means to strengthen the ongoing peoples uprising for freedom from Indian occupation; Resistance/Masjid Committees/Youth Volunteers of these areas coordinate and ensure the arrangements,” they said. On this day, there will be no relaxation.
“Observe shutdown across Jammu & Kashmir on all days except for the relaxation mentioned in the program. Relaxation period is for all including public and private transporters as well as factories and other industrial unit holders. Public and private vehicular movement not to be stopped after 10 pm to 7 am on all nights. Lockdown all the routes entering your Mohallas, Villages and Localities by every means during night to protect people in general and youth in particular from the raids and arrests by forces and J&K Police. Play Islamic and Azadi Taranas from Maghrib to Isha on all days. Paste this Protest Program Poster on the entrance of every mosque and in marketplaces, Mohallas & local chowks,” the resistance leaders said.
Police said situation across the valley remained normal.