Srinagar: Violence on Friday broke out on the streets of Srinagar over the killing of two youths in Tral on a day separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat was arrested on sedition charges, with protesters burning the national flag and fighting pitched battles with security forces.
The Nowhatta area of the winter capital resembled a battle zone as masked protesters burnt the tricolour and clashed with security forces resulting in injuries to about a dozen people, including two policemen, official sources said.
The protesters were also seen hurling stones at police which retaliated, bursting teargas shells and using force to disperse the violent crowds.
Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq accused the army of killing youths after labelling them terrorists.
“There is no arrest, no FIR. The government has to put an end to state terrorism,” he said.
Reports of stone-pelting were also received from Tral and adjoining areas as part of a march call given by hardline Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The moderate faction of the Hurriyat led by Farooq also staged its own protest.
Geelani has given a strike call throughout the Valley on Saturday against the killings and Friday’s police action.Â