Srinagar, July 01 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, scores of people were injured in violent clashes between the protesters and Indian troops in various cities and towns amid spontaneous shutdown and protest demonstrations against India’s illegal occupation of the territory and transfer of land to non-Kashmiris.
The protesters were shouting high-pitched pro-Pakistan, anti-India and pro-liberation slogans.
People fought pitched battles with the troops at various places in downtown Srinagar and civil lines areas. 10 persons were injured when Indian police swung into action to disperse the protesters at Bagh-e-Mehtab in the city. Police used brute force to disperse a massive procession at Batamaloo injuring many protesters. Big demonstrations were held at Bemina against the killing of a local youth, Imtiaz Ahmad, due to police firing on Friday. The police again resorted to brute force to disperse the protesters. Violent clashes broke out between the demonstrators and the troops in Safa Kadal and Nawa Kadal localities of interior city.
At least one civilian sustained serious bullet injuries while 30 others were wounded in violent clashes between angry mob and the troops at Sheeri in Baramulla. Indian police used force to disperse a procession at Delina in the district leaving at least 10 persons wounded. Later, the personnel of Special Operation Group barged into houses of civilians, damaged their belonging and thrashed women and children.
Massive demonstrations rocked the Sopore town with protesters demanding immediate revocation of the land transfer. Hundreds of people from Batpora, Khushalpora and Sangarpora assembled in Sopore and took out a procession. During the past week of protests, police has arrested at least 30 youth in Sopore. Hundreds of people carrying green flags from various villages including Ajas, Hajin, Sidunara and Sumbal reached Bandipore township where 17 persons sustained injuries when police resorted to indiscriminate firing, baton charge and tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters.
At least 18 persons were injured due to the troops using brute force to disperse the protesters in different parts of Islamabad district. Large number of people took to the streets and assembled at Lal Chowk in Islamabad and later marched towards Bus stand. Police opened fire to disperse an angry mob at Khudwani in Kulgam injuring at least 10 persons. After the protests, police smashed windscreens of many vehicles and beat up pedestrians. Protests demonstrations were also held in various areas of Pulwama and Budgam districts.
Five persons have died and more than eight hundred injured in the ongoing agitation against land transfer since June 23. Life remained paralysed across the held valley due to continued complete shutdown, as shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the road.