At least 20 people were injured today when members of the Shia community clashed with police after they were prevented from taking out Muharram processions in violation of prohibitory orders in force in the city.
Police fired tear gas shells and swung batons to scatter stone-hurling processionists at several places in the city, officials said.
The trouble erupted when Shias, led by JKLF chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik, were prevented by police from taking out a procession in connection with 9th Muharram in Gowkadal area in uptown Srinagar.
This sparked pitched battles between the processionists and the police that left 14 injured, the officials said.
Police also stopped Shias from taking out processions in Gojwara, Bohrikadal and Rajourikadal areas in the old city, triggering skirmishes leaving six injured.
Police used batons and lobbed tear gas shells to restore calm in trouble-torn areas, the officials said.
Thirty people, 17 of them policemen, were injured in similar clashes yesterday in the city's business hub Lal Chowk and adjoining areas.
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