SRINAGAR, July 20: At least three policemen were injured during the violent clashes between them and the youth when the former tried to arrest Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani while he was addressing the people in Verinag township of South Kashmir today.
Police reported to heavy cane charge and teargas shelling to disperse the angry youth.
Reports and eyewitnesses said that Geelani who was scheduled to visit the family of a youth, who disappeared in the custody of forces in 1992 on reaching main chowk Verinag was stopped by the hundreds of youth and insisted on him to address the gathering first.
"While Geelani was addressing the gathering a huge contingent of police arrived on spot and tried to arrest him. However the youth foiled the attempt of police to arrest Geelani resulting in violent clashes between the two," eyewitnesses said.
They said that the angry youth resorted to heavy stone throwing at the policemen and even did not allow them to come near the car of Geelani till he boarded the same and fled. "As the policemen failed to arrest Geelani, they resorted to heavy cane charge and teargas shelling to disperse the stone throwing youth," eyewitnesses said.
During the clashes which continued for hours together three policemen were injured. The injured policemen have been identified as ASI, Ali Mohammad, Hawaldar, Mohammad Maqbool and constable, Mohammad Amin who were shifted to nearby hospital for treatment. Reports said that the authorities after failing to control the situation deployed heavy contingents of forces in the town. The clashes led to a complete shutdown not only in Verinag but in the nearby township, Dooru also.
Earlier, Geelani while adressing the gathering said that participation of people in any election only strengthens the illegal occupation of our land by India. "Participation of people in assembly and recently held panchayat elections has badly harmed our cause. If you want end to the Indian occupation you should refrain from participating in any election," Geelani told the gathering.
He said that sacrifices and participation in elections can not go together. "Either you have to fight the occupation or accept the slavery with your heads down. But let me make it clear to you that sacrifices for freedom and voting for pro-Indian politicians cannot go together," Geelani told the people.
(www.kashmirtimes.com/ 20 July 2011)
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