Srinagar/May, 26: Shutdown called by the traders of old Srinagar city against the use of force by police and paramilitaries after weekly Friday prayers has hit normal life in the interiors of Srinagar city.
As reported already dozens of people including women worshippers, were injured after weekly afternoon prayers last Friday after the police and paramilitary forces fired tear gas and pellets to quell the angry protesters in the area. Two police officers were also injured in the clashes.
The clashes erupted soon after congregational prayers, and turned more intense after forces allegedly fired pellets inside the grand mosque, leaving many dripping with blood and staining its floor.
Some youth who were trying to leave the mosque were further angered at seeing the floor of the central mosque splattered with fresh blood, adding to the commotion.
All shops and other business establishments remained closed in the area following a shutdown call issued by the Jamia market traders’ federation against “desecration” of the grand mosque.
Meanwhile, traders held a protest outside the historic mosque against what they called as police high-handedness.
Earlier, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq visited the SMHS hospital to enquire about the health of the injured.
