Fresh clashes in Srinagar

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 9

Fresh clashes erupted between students and the police in the heart of Srinagar on Tuesday, a day after the latter appealed to parents to counsel their wards not to disrupt law and order.

The clashes erupted on the busy Maulana Azad Road when students of Sri Pratap Higher Secondary School tried to hold a protest march and were intercepted by a large deployment of police personnel.

The protesting students targeted a bunker outside the telephone exchange with canes and stones. Eyewitnesses, however, said protesting students were allegedly thrashed by the police and one of the girls fell unconscious. Many shopkeepers downed their shutters as the clashes continued for many hours.

The police fired tearsmoke shells to disperse the protesters. A police officer said they showed great restraint while dealing with the situation. “The protesters also damaged many cars,” a police officer said.

There were reports of student protests and clashes in Pulwama too.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Javaid Gillani had yesterday again appealed to parents to counsel their wards not to disrupt normal academic activities and had hinted at an outside role in some of the student protests.

Student protests have been taking place since April 15, when the police raided a college campus in Pulwama. After that incident, frequent clashes have taken place in almost all districts between students and police personnel.