 SRINAGAR - For the sixth day yesterday, Kashmir Valley witnessed widespread protests on streets by the residents against the land transfer to a board that manages the annual pilgrimage to Hindu cave-shrine of Amarnath. A spontaneous shutdown has paralysed the region and not only have the tourists been driven out, the local population is running short of supplies of food grains and other essentials.
| Yassss, completely spontaneous, just like any other riot in a Moose-limb paradise ... |
Unlike on Friday when the law-enforcement agencies exercised maximum restraint while tens of thousands of people chanting pro-freedom and pro-Pakistan slogans came out on the streets and at places irate mobs even attacked Central Reserve Police Force posts, the police yesterday had to use live ammunition, besides tear gas, to break the demonstrations. Witnesses said that policemen thrashed protesters at a number of places and even stormed residential houses mainly in downtown Srinagar to beat up inmates and damage household goods.
Among nearly 50 people injured in police action yesterday were pro-independence JKLF leader, Mohammed Yasin Malik, and his close associate, Noor Muhammad Kalwal.
Officials said that about a dozen policemen also were injured in stone throwing by unruly crowds. Among those arrested were prominent separatist leaders Syed Shabir Ahmed Shah and Naeem Ahmed Khan. |