Protests erupt again in Kashmir, 3 injured

Violent protests erupted again in Srinagar, central and north Kashmir despite curfew and security restrictions for fifth consecutive day on Friday.

Three protesters, including two women, were reportedly injured and dozens arrested in security forces action to foil separatists call to march towards Srinagar’s Eidgah area.

Hundreds of people after Friday prayers assembled in Kupwara town, more than 70 km north of Srinagar, and marched towards nearby district of Baramulla. Security forces had to use tear-smoke shells and blank shots.

Dozens of protesters were injured in the clash, in which two were critically injured and shifted to the nearby hospital. In Srinagar, protests broke out after Friday prayers at more than half-a-dozen localities, especially in downtown Srinagar.

Central Kashmir’s Budgam and Bagh-e-Mehtab areas also witnessed massive protests.

A spokesman of the moderate All Parties Hurriyat Conference, in a statement, condemned continuous curfew and security restriction in Kashmir for a straight fifth day on Friday.

“Though prayers were not allowed at many mosques, including historic Jamia Masjid, protests were registered in other mosques against human rights abuses,” said the APHC spokesman.