Srinagar/May,11: As student protests and clashes continued in parts of Central, North and South Kashmir on Thursday and several students were reported injured, Pulwama traders on Thursday called for a two day’s shutdown after government forces allegedly thrashed some shopkeepers and pedestrians in the town. Meanwhile government has announced suspension of class work at S P Higher Seconday School Budgam, Government Degree College Budgam and Government High School Magam today.
Reports from Pulwama district said that students of Mehjoor Memorial Higher Secondary School and Degree College resorted to massive stone-pelting even some of the protesting students pelted stones on the police station. Government Forces fired tear-gas and pava shells to disperse the protesting students. Amid pro-freedom slogans students tried to take out a march that was foiled by police. Shortly after the clashes, according to eyewitnesses government forces thrashed shopkeepers and pedestrians. Traders Body of Pulwama alleged that shopkeepers were abused and manhandled by Forces without any provocation. They also alleged that vehicles were also damaged by government forces personnel.
Taking strong note of the Forces highhandedness, traders body Pulwama announced from Jamia Masjid that they will observe two days shutdown against the Forces action. “We demand action against those men in uniform who target shopkeepers and civilians without any reason,” the traders declared.
Clashes between students and government forces were also reported from Rajpora Pulwama where students attacked government forces with stones. In retaliation Forces fired tear-smoke shells to disperse them.
Clashes broke out in Apple town Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district when students of Boys Higher Secondary School staged a massive protest inside the campus. Witnesses said that students came out of the school and resorted to massive stone-pelting while government forces lobbed tear-smoke shells to disperse them. Eyewitnesses said government forces lobbed tear-smoke shells inside the school premises that created panic among protesting students. The clashes forced shopkeepers to lower their shops while vehicular movement was also disrupted on the roads.
Clashes also broke out in Langate area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Students of Government Higher Secondary School Langate amid pro-freedom slogans hit to streets and pelted stones on the government forces who lobbed tear-smoke shells to disperse them. The clashes disrupted normal life in the area while shopkeepers downed their shutters.
Reports from Dooru area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district said that army allegedly thrashed some students after they pelted stones on them near Nowgam village. The students reportedly entered into the school and informed their colleagues about the incident. Witnesses said that a large number of students assembled in the premises of Dooru Higher Secondary School and staged protest against army action.
Government Forces lobbed tear-smoke shells to break up the students protest while students resorted to massive stone-pelting. Reports said that several female students fainted after clouds of smoke filled air due to intense tear-gas shelling. The fainted and injured students were shifted to nearby hospital.
Student protest was also reported from Magam in Central Kashmir. Witnesses said that amid pro-freedom slogans, students of Degree College Magam clashed with government forces on Magam-Kralpora road. Witnesses said that government forces lobbed tear-smoke shells after students attacked their convoy.
Witnesses added that to prevent protesters from hitting to roads, police locked the main gate of the college while some students were detained during the clashes.
Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner Srinagar in an official press release said class work in SP Higher Secondary School shall remain suspended on May 12, 2017 (Friday) as a precautionary measure.
Deputy Commissioner Budgam in a separate official press release has said that class work in Government Degree College Magam and Government Higher Secondary School Magam shall remain suspended on May 12, 2017 (Friday) as a precautionary measure.
