Srinagar: The streets of Pulwama and Budgam became a scene of violence today between student community and government forces after a brief let-up in protest demonstrations led by the student community across the length and breadth of Kashmir.
In South Kashmirs Pulwama district, students gathered to hold a protest demanding the release of their colleagues who have been arrested by the police in the last few days. Eyewitnesses told a news agency in Srinagar that students began protesting after a naka party picked up two students of Mehjoor Memorial Higher Secondary School from the Chattpora area.
Witnesses added that a large number of students assembled outside police station in Pulwama and raised pro-freedom slogans. They were demanding the release of their colleagues. More than 14 students are in lockup and we demand their release. We will continue to protest and boycott class work till they are released, said a student.
Reports said that agitated students attacked police station with stones while cops fired tear-smoke shells into the crowd to disperse them. The clashes between police and students continued for hours creating panic in the town.
Reports from Central Kashmirs Budgam district said that students of Boys Higher Secondary School took to roads and clashed with the government forces. The students, amid pro-freedom slogan, resorted to stone-pelting. Reports said that police swung into action and arrested many students. Students alleged that government forces fired tear-gas shells into the school premises and also resorted to aerial firing. The police denied that they resorted to aerial firing. A police official said that after students threw stones at them, they were left with no choice but to fire tear-gas shells.
In the wake of massive clashes, the authorities ordered the suspension of class work at Government Boys Higher Secondary School on Thursday.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Budgam Inderjeet Sharma said: The class work will remain suspended tomorrow at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Budgam. (CNS)
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