25 people injured in clashes in Kashmir

Srinagar : Curfew was lifted here Sunday, but sporadic protests and a shutdown called by the separatists marred normal life in the city. Over 25 people were injured in clashes across the Kashmir Valley.

Authorities lifted curfew restrictions from Srinagar and all other areas of the Kashmir Valley Sunday, but markets and businesses remained shut, and public transport was not available. The separatists called a shutdown to protest the killing of four people in a shootout by troopers in Gool village of Ramban district Thursday.

A police statement issued Sunday evening said: “The situation remained under control throughout Kashmir Valley today. Some stone-pelting incidents were reported from Papchan, Naidkhai, Gulshan Chowk in Bandipora, Khanpora in Baramulla, and a couple of places in downtown and uptown Srinagar.”

“The deployments exercised maximum restraint. Eight policemen, eight CRPF men and eight civilians were injured. All the injured are stable.”

A youth sustained a pellet injury in Baramulla town during the stone-pelting clashes Sunday. A senior police officer said: “He was taken to hospital and doctors have described his condition as out of danger.”

Tension gripped north Kashmir Saloora village in Ganderbal district in the morning, when rumours spread that a copy of the Holy Quran had been desecrated.

As people started protesting the alleged desecration, police reached the village.