Conflict

Situation Tense In Anantnag, Kulgam As Clashes Erupt

Srinagar: Situation turned scary in parts of Anantnag district after shopkeepers and J&K police had an argument on Thursday afternoon.

Muhammad Umar, a youth in his early twenties told the FreePress Kashmir that some cops of J&K Police started questioning a car driver in Mattan area of the district which irritated shopkeepers.

“An Alto car was parked near a shop and some cops asked the driver to show the documents for identification,” Umar, who refused to give his original name, said. “The car had no number plate fixed on it.”

Umar, a college going student, said that there was a heated exchange between the driver and the cops and the former was joined by the on looking shopkeepers.

“The police men tried to take the car along which they thought was suspicious but the driver and the shopkeepers insisted that it was a genuine car and had all the documents.”

However, he added, “The situation turned violent as cops used force and shopkeepers downed their shutters and marched towards Lal Chowk.”

Journalists based in Anantnag district told the FreePress Kashmir that clashes erupted in Lal Chowk as forces armed with AK 47 rifles fired tear gas canisters to stop the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, in Kulgam district which borders Anantnag, media reports said that students from Government Degree College Kulgam held pro-freedom demonstrations.

“Around 11:30 am or 12:00, a group of students assembled near Higher Secondary block of the college,” a 2nd year student of a UG course told the FreePress Kashmir.

“After they raised pro-freedom slogans, some pelted stones on a CRPF picket situated next to the block.”

A student, wishing anonymity, said, “The para-military troopers came out and fired tear gas shells and pellets.”

The clashes, he said, intensified and forced the college authorities to stop class work mid-way. He added that third semester examinations are going on these days.

“Some students were injured during the clashes and two have been shifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment,” he said.

The Kashmir Valley has been witnessing continuous pro-freedom demonstrations by school and college going students. Lal Chowk in summer capital many a times in last some weeks has turned in to a battle ground between white and Khaki uniforms.

The authorities responded to the situation by closing some educational institutions and today as well two such schools have been closed.

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