Srinagar: A minor is feared drowned after he along with three others jumped in river Jhelum while being chased by government forces in Palpora Noorbagh area of Srinagar on Thursday. Meanwhile scores of protesters were injured as clashes and protests amid a complete shutdown continued across Kashmir Valley on 55th day of unrest

Locals say that at least four youths jumped in river Jhelum in Palpora Noorbagh area of Srinagar to save themselves while being chased by government forces during clashes in afternoon. While three managed to swim to the river banks but one couldn’t. They identified him as Danish Sultan Haroon, son of Mohammad Sultan Haroon, a resident of New Colony Palpora, Noorbagh Srinagar.

 “Locals are on job to find the body but water is flowing fast and the river bed is deep at the spot,” they said.

Earleir  massive protests erupted in Srinagar areas even as forces’ deployment continued to be in place in few sensitive parts of Old City. Thousands of youths staged massive protests at Nowhatta area of downtown and took out a march towards Lal Chowk which was however intercepted by forces at Khwaja Bazar, triggering clashes between the two sides.

During ensuing clashes, police fired dozens of teargas shells and used pellets, resulting in injuries to many protesting youth. The protests also erupted at Nawa Kadal, Bhori Kadal, Safa Kadal and Rajouri Kadal areas of downtown. At Nawa Kadal, an auto was reportedly set ablaze by unknown persons in morning hours for defying shutdown.

Heavy stone-throwing clashes also erupted at Chhatabal, Zampa Kadal and Batamaloo areas here during which hundreds of youth clashed with government forces. The forces retaliated by firing dozens of teargas canisters and firing pellets but the clashes in these areas continued for several hours. Many youths sustained injuries in these clashes.

In south Kashmir, massive clashes erupted at multiple places during which several youths were held. Reports said that the massive protests were held at Trenz Shopian, Pakharpora in Pulwama, Shamsipora in Annantnag. At Badasgam village in Kokernag area of Anantnag, forces foiled a rally during which clashes erupted between locals and forces, resulting in injuries 10 persons, said the reports. Police in Gudoora area of Pulwama district arrested five youths on charges of stone-throwing while clashes erupted at Pakharpora this evening as forces resorted to teargas shelling on protesters.

In Budgam district of central Kashmir, massive clashes erupted at Kenihama and Mazhama areas during which nearly two dozen persons were injured. The forces fired pellets and teargas shells on protesters. The situation in these areas was tense when reports last came in. The clashes were also reported from Ompora area of Budgam.

Several protesters were injured as clashes between youths and forces erupted at many areas of Bandipora district in north Kashmir. The clashes erupted at Gulshan Chowk and Hajin townships. Reports said that restrictions were imposed at Kaloosa in Bandipora.

Protests also broke out at Kupwara in which nearly 8 persons were injured. Massive protests were staged by locals at Drugmulla in Kupwara after forces ransacked local houses and also a mosque. Reports said that the police used force against the protesters and in the clashes that ensued eight protesters were injured. The clashes and protests also erupted at Notnuusa and Lalpora areas.

Meanwhile, according to a spokesman of the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, barring some stray stone pelting incidents, the overall situation remained under control throughout the valley till filing of this report.

“Three stone pelting incidents were reported from Srinagar and Kupwara, and one each from Anantnag, Shopian, Ganderbal, Budgam and Sopore,” the spokesman said and added that at these places “miscreants” came on the roads and “attempted to disturb the normal traffic and movement of people by pelting stones on vehicles and on police and security force deployments”. He said increased inter district and inner city traffic movement continued through-out the Valley.

Meanwhile, police booked five more people under Public Safety Act in Kashmir Valley. According to official sources, police booked Nisar Ahmad Rather, resident of Dadsara Tral, Ghulam Qadir Naik of Beighpora Awantipora, Muhammad Yusuf Najar of Nai Basti Tral, Bilal Sheikh of Sheikh Mohalla Nandpora Anantnag and Ajaz Wagay of Ashajipora Anantnag.(GNS)

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