Mirwaiz under house arrest, protests in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, July 10 (PTI) Chairman of moderate Hurriyat
faction Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was placed under house arrest
Friday as protesters clashed with police at some places after
Friday prayers in India's northern state of Jammu and
Kashmir where normal life was crippled due to a
separatist-sponsored strike.

Security forces used batons and fired tear gas shells
to disperse slogan-shouting protesters who pelted stones on
them after prayers at Gojwara and Nowhatta near Jamia Masjid
and Maisuma and Abi Guzar, official sources said.

No casualty was reported. Major parts of the city
also witnessed peaceful protests this afternoon.

The Mirwaiz, who usually delivers sermons at the Jamia
Masjid on Friday, was placed under house arrest this morning.

A police posse was deployed at Nigeen residence of the
separatist leader with a direction not to allow him to come
out, the sources said adding, it was precautionary measure in
view of the tense situation in the valley.

Shops, educational institutions and banks were closed
and transport remained off the roads in Srinagar for the third
day today while normal life was affected in major towns in the
Valley following a strike call by hardline Hurriyat faction in
protest against the death of a college girl in Kupwara after
she was allegedly molested by a jawan.

A defence spokesman said the Army had relieved the
jawan from service and handed him over to the police within
four hours of the case being brought to its notice and
insisted that it was an "individual issue" as the jawan and
the woman, both locals, studied together and were reportedly
in touch with each other. PTI
DDC
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