Protests in Sopore, Sonawari

Locals seek release of youth

Amid complete shutdown, protests erupted in Sopore town of north Kashmir Thursday over firing by CRPF in the town Wednesday evening in which a youth was injured. Protests were also reported from Sonawari area of district Bandipora against the detention of local youth. Reports said groups of youth Thursday took to streets at various places in Sopore town and staged demos against CRPF. The protesters while protesting the firing by paramilitary personnel were also demanding immediate release of the arrested youth. 
Reports said although in the morning, as the town opened partially, protesters took to streets forcing the shopkeepers to down their shutters. Police said the protesters attacked a CRPF formation located adjacent to State Bank of India. However, police intercepted the protesters and burst tear-smoke shells to disperse them. 
Heavy contingents of police and CRPF were deployed in the town to control the situation. 
A police official termed the protests sporadic and said the forces dominated the town immediately as the convoy carrying EVMs was to pass through the area.   
Reports reaching from Sonawari area of Bandipora said that hundreds of locals from Shahgund village on Thursday blocked main road in Sumbal to protest detention of local youth.
Protestors said local youth including Waseem Ahmad Dar, Firdous Ahmad, Tariq Ahmad Karnai, Farooq Ahmad, Naseer Ahmad, Aijaz Ahmad and Ishfaq Ahmad were picked up by forces from their homes on Wednesday.
A teenager, Ishfaq Ahmad son of Bashir Ahmad Mir of Shahgund, was critically injured and was referred to a Srinagar hospital, protestors said.

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