Clashes in Anantnag, Shopian; curfew in Valley

Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in Anantnag and Shopian districts of south Kashmir on Saturday even as curfew continued in many parts of the Valley and normal life remained paralysed for the 29th consecutive day.

Twenty-one persons were injured in violence in Chee in Anantnag when protesters staged a rally, a police official said, adding that security forces used various crowd control measures to disperse the protesters.

Protesters pelted a police post at Herpora in Shopian with stones but there were no reports of anyone getting hurt in the incident so far, he added. Curbs on movement of people had to be extended on Saturday in view of fresh violence in some parts of the Valley on Friday which left three persons dead and over 150 others injured, the official said. "Curfew remains in force in six police station areas of Srinagar - Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharajgunj and Batamaloo - as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order," a police official said. He said curfew was also in force in four towns of Budgam district - Chadoora, Khansahib, Magam and Budgam , Anantnag town and Khanpora area of Baramulla district. "Restrictions on assembly of four or more people continue to remain in effect in the rest of the Valley," the official said. Normal life remained disrupted due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and the separatist sponsored strike. Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps banks and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads. Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped.