JKLF chief Yasin Malik and several others were injured on Friday during clashes between security forces and protesters who took to streets shortly after Friday prayers here.
SRINAGAR: JKLF chief Yasin Malik and several others were injured on Friday during clashes between security forces and protesters who took to streets shortly after Friday prayers here following a shutdown called by separatists.
Police fired tear gas shells and used batons to disperse thousands of demonstrators who assembled at Lal Chowk and staged a sit-in in response to the call given by separatists' Co-ordination Committee, official sources said.
Malik, who had received a baton blow on his legs, was taken to SMHS hospital for treatment, the sources said.
The Committee had given the shutdown call from 1230 hours and peaceful protests after Friday prayers to press for right to self-determination.
Shopkeepers pulled down their shutters in Srinagar and other district headquarters and thousands of slogan shouting people took to streets after Friday prayers.
Police and paramilitary forces had been deployed in strength outside all mosques and shrines and sensitive localities to maintain law and order, the sources said.
They said hundreds of people went to the Maisuma residence of JKLF Chairman, where he was under house arrest since his release on September 1, and broke the police cordon.
He was taken in a procession to nearby Lal Chowk, where a large number of people had already assembled, the sources said.
Besides Malik, over a dozen persons were also injured in the police action.
Addressing the demonstrators, Malik said "our movement is peaceful and no military might can defeat the resolve of Kashmiris". He also appealed to people not to resort to stone-pelting and provocative sloganeering.
Clashes also occurred in Maisuma, Koker bazar, Court road and adjoining localities, the sources said.
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