Protesters clash with police in Kashmir

Mirwaiz and Geelani,were put under house arrest as their presence could lead to violent protests.

Clashes between police and protesters broke out in the Kashmir Valley after Friday prayers even as the state government put top separatist leaders under house arrest.

Several youths took to streets at Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar shortly after Friday prayers to protest against the government decision to put Moderate Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under house arrest on the first Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan.

As the protesters started marching towards Nowhatta Chowk,police and paramilitary forces used batons and fired teargas shells to disperse them,official sources said. They said the protesters resorted to stone-pelting and the clashes were continuing in the area and adjoining localities when last reports were received.

Mirwaiz and other separatist leaders,including chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani,were put under house arrest this morning as authorities apprehended their presence at Friday prayers could lead to violent protests. In Sopore town of Baramulla district,protesters staged a demonstration against the custodial death of 28-year-old Nazim Rashid on July 31.

The protesters started pelting stones on law enforcing agencies after the latter used batons in an attempt to chase them away,the sources said,adding police fired teargas shells in a vain bid to restore law and order.

Similar protests were also witnessed in south Kashmir Pulwama town where a local militant commander was killed in an encounter with security forces on Thursday.

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