Since then, tens of thousands of people have defied security restrictions, staged protests and clashed with government forces on a daily basis to seek an end of Indian rule. Two photojournalists were hit by pellets while covering an event in Naidyar area of Rainawari in Srinagar.
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Protesters clashed at Pinjoora in Shopian, Ashmuji in Kulgam, Fathpora-Larkipora and Vesu-Qazigund areas in Anantnag and at Drubgam and Tral in Pulwama. After attacking the house, the protesters set it ablaze. “However, the structure suffered partial damage”, he said. Over four dozen people including protesters as well as security men were injured in clashes when the security forces tried to prevent the demonstrators from torching the building.
Clashes were also reported from Tral area of Pulwama district where more than 60 people were hurt in action by security forces against the stone pelters. Some of the miscreants when chased away entered a shrine and again started pelting stones from the compound.
Protestors also attacked the house of ruling PDP MLA from Tral constituency Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, breaking the window panes of the building.
Tension gripped Shopian town after security forces intervened to stop a pro-freedom rally in Pinjura village. “They pelted some stones at my house and broke windowpanes”, Shah said.
Just minutes before the arrival of the all-party team at the Srinagar venue, the security forces foiled a rally in Pinjoora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian.
Reports reaching from Kupwara said that several youths were injured in Trehgam when forces fired tear gas canisters and pellets. Ahmad had facilitated a meeting of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti with the family of a victim of violence in the district.
In occupied Kashmir, the situation remained grim and tense on Sunday, 57 days after the killing on July 9 a Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzzaffar Wani by the Indian troops.
Later in the evening, intense clashes erupted in Rawalpora area of Srinagar following raids by forces.
He said curfew in these areas of the summer capital continued as a precautionary measure in view of the call given by separatists asking people to occupy Airport road, city centre Lal Chowk and district headquarters against the all-party delgation’s visit. “The police are cautiously handling the situation”, said the spokesman.
Witnesses said following the clashes, announcements were made from the public address systems of the masjids in several villages, urging people to come out on roads.
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The all-party delegation led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar on Sunday morning to a complete shutdown of the Valley and restrictions.
