Violent protests rocked capital city on Saturday against the visit of President Pratibha Patil to trouble-torn state.
Their aim is to indicate that all is not well in their troubled state
SRINAGAR: Violent protests rocked capital city on Saturday against the visit of President Pratibha Patil to trouble-torn state. The police had to resort to cane charge and fire smoke shells to quell the mob which turned violent in old city area here.
Unfazed by the protests, the President arrived in Gulmarg to spend the weekend with her family at the resort . Life came to a grinding halt in Kashmir as people observed strike for which the call was given by Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani to protest against the visit of the president to the state. Shops and business establishments remained closed.
“The government is trying to create an impression that all is well in Kashmir. That is why we decided to protest the visit of president by calling for a strike,” Geelani said.
Even as tight security arrangements were put in place, people took to streets at Habba Kadal, Nowhatta and Nawa Kadal and raised slogans.
The protestors clashed with the police prompting them to resort to lathi-charge and lob smoke shells to disperse the mob. Reports said several people suffered injuries in the ding dong battles which continued at different intervals.
“There were some minor incidents in some parts of the city which have now fizzled out. Situation is well under control and there is no need to feel panicky”, said Syed Afad-ul-Mujtaba, senior superintendent of police, Srinagar.
President Patil is on a five day visit to J&K. She arrived on Friday and on this first leg of the tour she visited the line of control (LoC) and met the troops stationed there. She visited the underground bunkers at Tangdhar sector and met the troops guarding the LoC.
Taking some time off her busy schedule, President Patil arrived in Gulmarg to spend the weekend with her family. She took a joy ride in the World highest ropeway Gulmarg Gandola. Tight security arrangements were made at Gulmarg for the visit of first family. President and her family is staying at Chief Minister’s special lodge in Gulmarg.
h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net
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