Rampage ruined Eid celebrations in Kashmir

Srinagar, 25 sept:

Clashes erupted between mobs of youngsters and security forces in Srinagar and Anantnag after prayers for Eid-al-Adha, police said on Friday as Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were put under house arrest to prevent violence.

Youngsters pelted stones at police and paramilitary forces in many areas of the city after Eid prayers, police said. Violence between protesters and security forces were reported from Eidgah, Rajouri, Kadal and some other areas of downtown Srinagar and some places in Anantnag, a police officer said.

Police resorted to tear-smoke shells to disburse mobs. Two journalists were injured in clashes at Eidgah, the officer said. The rest of Kashmir valley witnessed peaceful Eid prayers. The officer claimed mobs waved flags of Pakistan and militant group Al-Jehad in downtown Srinagar.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Yasin Malik and Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Sabhir Shah were among separatists leaders detained to prevent violence. Meanwhile, state police have suspended Internet services across the Valley on Friday to prevent a spillover of  communal tensions brewing over the recent high court order to enforce a ban on beef.

Separatist groups had threatened to defy the court order. — PTI