Curfew in four districts of Kashmir, clashes leave 13 injured

Srinagar, Oct 27 (PTI) Curfew was imposed in four districts
of the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday to
foil a march called by separatists to the local United Nations
office but protestors defied the restrictions at several
places and clashed with security forces, resulting in injuries
to 13 persons.
Authorities had this morning clamped curfew in state
capital Srinagar, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts
besides Awantipora town, in view of the march called by
moderate faction of All Parties Hurrriyat Conference to the
office of the UN Military Observers' Group for India and
Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
The march was supported by the hardline faction headed by
Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
A large number of security force personnel have been
deployed across the city and other sensitive areas to prevent
the separatists from taking out any rally.
Officials said several separatist leaders have been put
under house arrest while over a dozen activists of
Mirwaiz-led moderate Hurriyat were taken into preventive
custody last night.
Eight persons were injured when stone-pelting protestors
clashed with security forces in Bandipora district town, 50
kms from here, officials said.
Defying curfew restrictions, a group of protestors took to
the roads this morning in Bandipora, they said.
Police and other security forces used batons to chase the
protestors away but the youth started pelting stones at
them.
Security forces lobbed tear smoke shells and fired Pump
Action Guns to bring the situation under control, they said,
adding five civilians and three policemen were injured in the
clashes.
Clashes also broke out in old town area of Baramulla
district headquarters. Scores of youth started pelting stones
at security forces near Cement bridge and adjoining
localities, the officials said.
They said police lobbed tear smoke shells and used pellet
guns to disperse the protestors, resulting in minor injuries
to four persons.
Aqib Ahmad was injured when he was hit by a marble hurled
from a slingshot by security forces in Sopore town of the
district, the officials said. (MORE) PTI