NC workers stoned in Bandipore, 5 injured

Srinagar: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police on Monday burst tear smoke shells and fired from pellet guns to quell pro-freedom demonstrations that broke out after the workers of the ruling party were stoned by youth in Bandipore district of North Kashmir. At least five people, two among them were critically injured in the clashes.

Eyewitnesses told Press Bureau of India that trouble started this afternoon when a bus carrying National Conference (NC) workers from SK Stadium passed through Nowpora area of the district, where angry youth pelted stones upon them. At least four NC activists suffered injuries in the stone pelting incident.

The NC workers had gone to the stadium to attend a rally which was addressed by Law and parliamentary affairs minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar and Hajj and Auqaf Minister, Aijaz Ahmad Khan.

Soon after the incident, CRPF troops and police burst tear smoke shells and resorted to cane charge to quell the stone pelting youth. However, defiant youth pelted rocks and stones on the forces triggering off fierce pitched battles. Later, forces opened fire from the pellet guns to disperse the protesting youth. At least two youth suffered serious injuries in the police action. The youth identified as Javed Ahmad Wani, 22, son of Mohammad Sadiq and Mudasir Ahmad were rushed to hospital for treatment.