Cops, CRPF troopers stoned in Srinagar

SRINAGAR - Pelting stones at police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers, dozens of youths clashed with security personnel in a Srinagar locality Tuesday during a shutdown against the conviction of six Kashmiris in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar bombing in New Delhi.

As public transport and markets remained closed in response to the shutdown called by Syed Ali Geelani, chief of the hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, clashes broke out in Maisuma locality, adjacent to the city centre Lal Chowk.

Police used batons and tear smoke to disperse the unruly stone pelters in Maisuma area of the city this morning,” a senior police officer said here.

Besides, women activists of a separatist party, Mass Movement, staged a protest in the city’s Press Enclave against the conviction of the party’s chairperson, Farida Dar, by a Delhi court along with five other Kashmiris in the Lajpat Nagar bomb blast. Thirteen people were killed in the blast in the crowded New Delhi market on May 2, 1996.

Many women activists were taken into preventive custody by police who intervened to stop the protests.

Following the clashes, police and CRPF have started enforcing restrictions on public movement in several areas of the old city including Nowhatta, Khanyar, M.R. Gunj, Rainawari and Safa Kadal.

This situation is being closely monitored to prevent antisocial elements from creating a law and order situation here,” said Javaid Riyaz, the senior superintendent of police (Sinagar).