Thaindian News

Srinagar, Nov 7 (IANS) More than 30 people, including a senior superintendent of police, were injured in post-Eid prayer clashes between security forces and stone pelting mobs in different parts of the Kashmir Valley Monday, police here said.

Groups of stone pelting youth took to the streets in Anantnag town in south Kashmir immediately after the Eid prayers had passed off peacefully there.

“Stone pelting youth engaged police and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel in pitched battles in Anantnag town after the Eid prayers passed off peacefully there,” a senior police officer told IANS here.

“Police used batons and tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters who kept on regrouping from different lanes and bylanes in the town.

“While maximum restraint was used by the security forces to ensure no serious injury was sustained by any of the protesters, Senior Superintendent of Police (Anantnag) R.K. Jalla, a CRPF commandant, another superintendent of local police, a deputy superintendent, two junior police officers, four police constables and eight protesters were injured in the clashes. Nobody has sustained any serious injuries in these clashes,” the officer said, adding the situation has since been brought under control.

Reports from Anantnag however said the situation was still tense.

Slogan-shouting, stone-pelting youth also gathered in Rajouri Kadal area of Srinagar’s old city.

“Although the security forces exercised restraint while dealing with the mob, batons and tear smoke shells were used to bring the situation under control. Five policemen and three protesters sustained injuries in these clashes,” the officer said.

Stone pelting youth also took to streets in north Kashmir’s Sopore town where police and CRPF intervened to restore order, the officer said.

“One youth fractured his leg while he slipped from the mosque stairs in Sopore town during the clashes. Five security men sustained injuries in the clashes,” added the officer.