Clashes erupt in downtown areas, police refutes
Srinagar: A day after complete shutdown was observed across the Valley against the civilian killings in Shopian on Sunday evening; clashes erupted in Nowhatta area of old City on Tuesday.
Witnesses said that amid spontaneous shutdown observed in Old City here, clashes erupted between forces and youth in Nowhatta, Gojwara, Malaratta and Hawal areas.
The youth as per the witnesses took to streets and chanted slogans against the civilian killings in Shopian.
Witnesses said that the youth later pelted stones on forces, resulting in minor clashes between youth and forces in these areas.
They said that the forces used mild forces and dispersed the agitating youth by resorting to tear smoke shells.
Meanwhile, all the shops and business establishments continued to remain closed for the second consecutive day in Old City areas while the traffic was also thin on the roads.
Witnesses said that following the clashes in the area, the forces were deployed in the area to thwart any protests against the civilian killings.
However, police in its statement refuted the reports, saying that no stone pelting incident occurred in downtown areas today.
Polio spokesman said that the social media reports of “intense clashes in Nowhatta”, which is being spread through various online news portals is refuted.
“It is to state that at around 10.30 am few miscreants tried to block the road and close shops forcibly in Nowhatta Chowk,’ he said, adding that the police immediately chased them away and normal traffic was restored immediately.
“There were no clashes and the situation was brought back to normal in no time. However certain news groups have circulated news of intense clashes in Nowhatta area, which is baseless and hence rebutted,” he said.
KV Correspondent
