Clashes in Bijbehara after police objects to screening of documentary RK

Clashes in Bijbehara after police objects to screening of documentary
RK SHABIR ALI
Bijbehara, Oct 21: Several persons including some policemen were injured in the clashes that broke out here late evening after police objected to the screening of a documentary on Kashmir by Islamic Students League (ISL) and Umat-I-Islami on the 16th anniversary of 1993 Bijbehara massacre that had left 40 people dead.

Eyewitnesses said thousands of people gathered in-front of martyr’s graveyard Bijbehara after evening (Magrib) prayers to watch the documentary. “The Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel reached the venue and ransacked all the equipments including the projector. They also resorted to heavy baton charge on the crowd that had been watching the documentary. Several persons sustained injuries in the police action,” they said.
ISL chairman Shakeel Bakshi, Umat-I-Islami president Qazi Yasir and JKLF (Amanullah) vice chairman S. Afzal were among the injured.
The police action infuriated the youth, who pelted stones on the cops at Baba Mohalla, Tak Mohalla, Saraf Mohalla and Gooriwan and adjoining areas. The policemen retaliated by resorting to cane-charge and lobbed tear smoke shells. In the clashes that continued till late evening, four protestors and some cops were injured.
After the clashes, additional contingent of police and paramilitary personnel were rushed to the township to prevent further clashes.
The locals alleged that the troopers went berserk and smashed the window panes of several houses and beat up many pedestrians.
When contacted SHO Bijbehara Shabir Ahmad denied ransacking of the equipments meant for screening of documentary. “Police requested them not to screen the documentary. However, some miscreants pelted stones and the policemen chased them away and brought the situation under control.”
Earlier, in the morning police according to the residents removed all the banners and posters of the Tehreek-I-Hurriyat (Teh) and JKLF.