BOTENGO : 23-year old Zahid Rasool Bhat, who died of burns received in an attack near Udhampur, was on Monday laid to rest amid sobs, tears and anti-India protests in his native village at Botengo in south Kashmirs Anantnag district.
Thousands of people today morning participated in funeral of the Zahid at Botengo amid heavy downpour and strict restrictions imposed by the government forces.
The family members of Zahid and thousands of residents from surrounding areas bid a tearful adieu to the youth. Some mourners also waved a Pakistani flag in the funeral procession.
Anger was palpable among the mourners, particularly youth.
Soon after Zahid was buried, hundreds of youth resorted to heavy stone-pelting on police and paramilitary troopers deployed in the area.
The forces lobbed hundreds of teargas shells and pepper grenades to disperse the anti-India protesters. However, the protesters offered stiff resistance and continued stone-pelting from all sides on the forces.
Local sources said that more than a dozen youth sustained injuries in the clashes while nearly six forces personal were also injured. The clashes continued throughout the day despite rains.
Protesters and government forces also clashed at Bijbehara township of Anantnag district. The police lobbed several teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators.
In Frisal area of Kulgam district, angry protesters burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused his government of backing Hindu outfits. The protest however ended peacefully.
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