Protests erupt after Eid prayers in Kashmir

 

Srinagar, July 18  Protests erupted at some places in the Kashmir Valley on Saturday after the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers ended.

Stone-pelting youths took to the streets in the Safa Kadal area of old city Srinagar as police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel used batons and tear smoke canisters to disperse the protesters.

The youth also engaged the security forces in pitched battles in Barzalla area of Srinagar. The protesters kept regrouping each time the security forces dispersed them.

Around 150 angry protesters started pelting stones at police in Lal Chowk area of south Kashmir's Anantnag town.

In Sogam town of north Kashmir Kupwara district, the protesters pelted stones at the security forces and raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.

At some places in Srinagar city, masked youths displayed Pakistan flags, but they were quickly dispersed by the police.

Senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Muhammad Yasin Malik continued to remain under house arrest on Saturday as authorities did not allow them to join the congregational Eid prayers.