BANDIPORE: Much to the embarrassment of the National Conference senior leader and Higher Education Minister, people forced him to leave Shahgund Hajin without letting him attend workers meeting on Saturday.
Muhammad Akbar Lone arrived at Shahgund Hajin to attend a workers meeting that was supposed to take place at the residence of NC worker Muhammad Maqbool Ghasi. As the word about his visit spread in the area, people used public address system urging shopkeepers and traders to close down their shops and observe a complete shutdown.
Eyewitnesses said that as Lone reached Shahgund, scores of people encircled his vehicle and amid anti-NC slogans and did not allow him to proceed towards the venue. People demanded punishment to the killers of Farhat Ahmed Dar who was killed in police firing last month during a protest.
As the security guards of the minister tried to disperse the protestors, the agitated people resorted to stone-pelting and forced Muhammad Akbar Lone to retreat from the place without attending the workers meeting.
During the clashes between people and police, at least three persons sustained injuries. People alleged that the police and CRPF personnel thrashed two scribes Inayat Hajni and Zahoor Ahmed Bhat. I was beaten to pulp while covering the clashes by police and CRPF personnel. Blood oozed out from my mouth and nose and I dont know who shifted me to Srinagar for treatment, said Hajni.
Reports said that amid clashes, agitated protestors barged into the house of District President National Conference Khazar Muhammad Dar and ransacked the belongings there. People smashed the windowpanes of the house and caused damage to furniture. Eyewitnesses said that agitated protestors entered the house of Muhammad Maqbool Ghasi in Bagat Mohalla where wazwan lunch for the minister was being prepared and scattered the dishes.
Confirming the incident, DIG North Kashmir Ghulam Hasan Bhat said that protestors stopped the Minister questioning him why he did not turn up when a youth got killed last month. He said that protestors also attacked the houses of two NC workers, he said. CNS
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 | |
