Srinagar- Local residents from Chainbal area of Pattan in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district staged a protest on Friday morning, blocking the Srinagar-Baramulla highway to demand a solution to the ongoing water scarcity in their village. The peaceful demonstration escalated into violence, leading to several injuries and significant damage to vehicles.
Quoting eyewitnesses, a local news agency reported that from early morning, villagers obstructed the highway, calling for an immediate water supply. Despite initial efforts by the police to mediate, tensions rose, and protesters began pelting stones. In response, law enforcement resorted to lathi charges and tear gas shelling to disperse the crowd.
“They blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla highway for several hours, demanding water supply to the village, they said adding that, after some consultation, the police tried to resolve the issue, but the protest turned violent, with demonstrators resorting to stone pelting.”
The clash left numerous individuals, including drivers, injured, and caused damage to many vehicles.
In this incident, BJP Media Incharge Kashmir, Adv. Sajid Yousuf Shah, and Social Media Incharge, Er. Sahil Bashir Bhat, were attacked by an unidentified mob in the area. Their PSOs were also injured in the assault. Police have launched an investigation into the attack. The injured have been rushed to the nearby hospital where they are being treated.
A police officer confirmed the incident and said that a case is being registered regarding the incident and further investigation is going on.
Meanwhile, SSP Baramulla Amod Nagpure urged citizens to register their protests peacefully, emphasizing that there is no space for violence in the district.
Speaking to reporters at Mirgund, SSP Nagpure highlighted the importance of maintaining law and order and the role of the public in achieving this.
He said that there is space for peaceful protest in democracy but no space for violence and such things should be avoided.
He called on community leaders and residents to engage in dialogue and use democratic means to express their grievances.
Nagpure assured that the police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and will take strict action against any individuals or groups attempting to incite violence.
The SSP’s statements come in response to recent tension and protests in the area where people restored to stone pelting to register their protests over water scarcity.
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