[Reader-list] Scuffle near Hazratbal; Shabir Shah among 14 injured

[Shivam Vij शिवम् विज्]

This is what happens when you prevent people from addressing peaceful
gatherings...


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Scuffle near Hazratbal; Shabir Shah among 14 injured

Special Correspondent, 5 July 2008
http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070559931300.htm

The clash followed prayers to celebrate the "victory" in the land transfer issue


SRINAGAR: Senior Hurriyat Conference leader Shabir Shah was among 14
people injured on Friday, following a scuffle between police and
supporters of separatist leaders after they offered prayers at the
Hazratbal shrine to celebrate the recent "victory" in the land
transfer issue.

The call for "Hazratbal Chalo" was given by Syed Ali Geelani, head of
a faction of the Hurriyat Conference and supported by Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq, head of another. However, both were placed under house arrest
by the police. Mr. Shah and other leaders, however, reached Hazratbal
amid heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF and offered
prayers besides addressing the people.

Mr. Shah and Ashraf Sehrai, another senior leader denounced the
government for putting Mr. Geelani and Mr. Mirwaiz under house arrest.

A protester hurls back a tear smoke shell towards the police.

On their way back, Mr. Shabir Shah, Mr. Sehrai, Naeem Khan, Sheikh
Aziz, Shafi Reshi, Firdous Shah and others led a strong procession,
which was lathi-charged.

Fourteen people, including Mr. Shabir Shah, were injured. He was
shifted to the S.K. Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) for
treatment.

Even as rumours spread that he was critical, Director SKIMS Abdul
Hamid Zargar told The Hindu that he was stable. Another procession
taken from Jamia Masjid and led by the head imam, was dispersed by
police with smoke shells. Many people were arrested. Another Hurriyat
leader Javed Mir was arrested when he tried to take out a procession
towards Hazratbal in Khanyar area.