Two injured in police firing during Kashmir protests
By IANSSunday, February 21, 2010
SRINAGAR - Two people were injured when security forces fired rubber bullets during clashes between protesters and police in Kashmir’s Baramulla and Sopore towns Sunday.
Hundreds of stone pelting youth attacked the local police station in Baramulla, 54 km from Srinagar, and police used tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters.
However, the protesters continued to re-group and police had to fire rubber bullets. A youth identified by police as Ishaq Lone was hit in the eye and critically injured.
He was brought to Srinagar for specialised treatment.
Police also had to fire rubber bullets in the adjoining Sopore town in Baramulla district Sunday afternoon after mobs indulged in stone pelting on police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers.
A youth identified as Ishfaq Ahmad was hit in the thigh and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The clashes continued till evening in both towns.
In the Maisuma area of Srinagar, police had to use fire tear gas shells and carry out baton charges repeatedly to disperse stone pelting mobs in the area near the city centre Lal Chowk.
Sunday’s clashes followed arrests of over a dozen youth, whom police charged with involvement in the recent stone pelting incidents in Baramulla, Sopore and in the Maisuma area.
