Clashes erupt in Handwara, several injured

Srinagar/May 06: Government forces Saturday burst teargas shells in the frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara to disperse students, who were protesting against alleged use of disproportionate force by personnel at different education institutes in the valley during the last three weeks.
Meanwhile, several students, including girls, were injured in the clashes.
Scores of students from Degree College Handwara and Higher Secondary school Handwara in north Kashmir, boycotted their classes, and took to streets, demanding action against the security forces allegedly involved in thrashing pupils, including girls, of Degree College Pulwama on April 15 and others during subsequent clashes.
The protestors also demanded that the students, who were arrested during clashes in the last three weeks be released immediately.
However, when the students tried to march towards the main chowk Handwara, security forces burst teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who resorted to stone pelting.
Several students, including girls, were injured in the clashes. Following clashes between students and security forces, shopkeepers downed shutters and traffic went off to the road in Handwara and adjoining areas.