SRINAGAR: Several demonstrations across Kashmir Valley took place on Friday to protest the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza that has resulted in hundreds of casualties and thousands of injuries.
The call for the protests was given by Chairman of Hurriyat Conference G Syed Ali Geelani. Reports said that amid clashes, aerial firing, teargas shelling and stone-pelting, anti-Israel protests were registered in capital city Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Sopore, Baramulla, Pattan, Handwara, Kupwara, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam Tral, Rajpora, Kakpora, Samboora, Gool, Ramban, Qazigund and Banihal.
The demonstrators demanded the intervention of international community to stop the bombardment on the civilians.
The biggest procession was taken out in Old city where hundreds of youth assembled on roads soon after the conclusion of Friday congregational prayers at historic Jamia Masjid. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led the procession for a short time. Demonstrators strongly chanted slogans against Israel. Angry protestors torched Israeli flags and clashed with police that continued for hours. Police reportedly used tear smoke shells to disperse the protestors.
The masked youth upheld black flags resembling that of Iraq-Syria armed group ISIS. The flags and banners had “ISIS JK” inscribed on them.
At Abiguzar, Hyderpora, Qamarwari, Batamaloo, Maisuma, Habakadal, peaceful protests were registered against Israel. The coffin attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was set on fire by protestors at Abi Guzar.
In North Kashmirs Sopore, Pattan, Palhalan, Baramulla, Bandipora, Handwara and other towns similar protests were held where the protestors were carrying banners and placards that had anti-Israel and pro-Palestine slogans on them. The speakers demanded practical steps against Israels aggression.
Many processions reached Press Enclave in the civil lines area of Srinagar and burned Israeli flag to register their protest.
A procession of motorcyclists amid anti-Israel and anti-India slogans was taken out in the civil lines area of the city which marched through Lal Chowk.
Eyewitnesses said that at least three persons including a female government employee were injured in North Kashmirs Sopore where clashes erupted at Amargarh, Mainchowk and Sangrama between government forces and protestors. Police identified the injured as Nisar Ahmed, Reyaz Ahmed and Haseena Bano.
Violent protests were also reported from Palhalan Pattan where hundreds of youth after anti-Israel protests resort to indiscriminate stone-pelting. However, anti-Israel protests remained by and large peaceful in Bandipora, Handwara, Kunzar Tangmarag and other parts of North Kashmir.
Three protestors received bullet injuries after a Road Opening Party of 90 Battalion CRPF fired upon a procession near Wanpoh highway at Mirbazar in Kulgam town. Eyewitnesses said that a big procession was taken out by people from Qaimou to Khudwani. Police sources said that as the protest reached near Al-stop in Mirbazar, the participants attacked a ROP which retaliated by firing bullets on the protestors.
Sources added that one of the injured Amir Ahmed Parray son of Abdul Majid resident of Gofbul Kulgam was referred to SKIMS from District Hospital Anantang. Reports said that Amir has received a bullet in his belly. The other two injured have been identified as Sajad Ahmed Wani son of Abdul Rehman resident of Wangand Qaimou and Adil Ahmed resident of Qaimou.
Clashes also erupted in Anantnag wehre five persons including two cops were wounded during anti-Israel rally.
Anti-Israel protests were also reported from dozens of areas across Kashmir Valley. In South Kashmirs Pulwama district, police was forced to used tear smoke shells to disperse anti-Israel protestors who not only torched Israeli flags but also attacked police vehicles with stones. Stone-pelting incidents were also reported from Tral town during anti-Israel procession.
Eyewitnesses said that Srinagar-Jammu highway remained suspended for traffic more than two hours due to anti-Israel protest in Banihal. The protestors slammed the international communitys inaction over Israels killing of scores of Palestinian civilians.
A police official said that barring few stray incidents of stone-pelting, the situation is Valley remained peaceful.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
