Violent protests continue in Kashmir Valley, 70 injured

Srinagar, June 5 (PTI) At least 70 people including 12
policemen were injured as violence continued Friday across
India's Kashmir valley where Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
(JKLF) chairman Yaseen Malik was detained for violating
prohibitory orders even as family members of the
Shopian victims went on a hunger strike to demand justice.

Violent protests were reported from all the districts
of the valley, where normal life remained disrupted for the
fifth day following the strike call given by separatists in
protest against the alleged rape and murder of two women by
security personnel in Shopian, 52 km from here, on Saturday.

Shopian witnessed fierce clashes after police stopped
thousands of people from marching in the streets after Friday
prayers in support of their demand for identification of the
culprits resulting in the injury to at least 35 people
including eight policemen.

In Srinagar, violence broke out shortly after Malik
and five others were detained at Budshah Chowk here after
hundreds of people broke the police cordon and started
marching towards Lal Chowk to protest against the Shopian
incident. Seven persons including two policemen were injured.

Malik was taken to an unknown destination by police,
official sources said.

Family members of victims -- Nelofar and Asiya -- are
on hunger strike since Thursday. Residents of Bonagam village,
from where the victims hailed, have also erected a dozen
make-shift tents and decided not to return to their homes till
the culprits are punished.

Prior to the Friday prayers, Muslim Khawateen Markaz
chairperson Yasmeen Raja and 10 of her party activists were
taken into preventive custody when they tried to stage a
demonstration at Lal Chowk, the sources said.

Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who
was scheduled to announce the future course of the strike at
his Hyderpora residence here, could not do so as police
prevented mediapersons from entering his house.

At least 18 people including two policemen were
injured in violent clashes that broke out at nearly a dozen
other places in the city including Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal,
Batmaloo and Barzalla, the sources said.

Clashes also broke out at various places including
Baramulla, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal and Bandipora resulting
in the injury to 10 people.

Life across the valley remained paralysed with all
shops and business establishments remaining closed and
transport were off the roads. Government offices, educational
institutions, banks, courts and semi-government institutions
also remained closed in view of the strike.

Bodies of Nelofar (22) and her sister-in-law Asiya
(17) were recovered on Saturday after they went missing from
their orchards in Shopian on Friday sparking massive protests
in the valley. The state government has ordered a judicial
inquiry into the double murder case. PTI AMS
PMR
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