Date:05/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070559931300.htm

National

Scuffle near Hazratbal; Shabir Shah among 14 injured

Special Correspondent

The clash followed prayers to celebrate the “victory” in the land transfer issue

— Photos: NISSAR AHMAD, AFP

ROUGH TREATMENT: Hurriyat leader Shabir Shah being manhandled during a protest in Srinagar on Friday.

SRINAGAR: Senior Hurriyat Conference leader Shabir Shah was among 14 people injured on Friday, following a scuffle between police and supporters of separatist leaders after they offered prayers at the Hazratbal shrine to celebrate the recent “victory” in the land transfer issue.

The call for “Hazratbal Chalo” was given by Syed Ali Geelani, head of a faction of the Hurriyat Conference and supported by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, head of another. However, both were placed under house arrest by the police. Mr. Shah and other leaders, however, reached Hazratbal amid heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF and offered prayers besides addressing the people.

Mr. Shah and Ashraf Sehrai, another senior leader denounced the government for putting Mr. Geelani and Mr. Mirwaiz under house arrest.

A protester hurls back a tear smoke shell towards the police.

On their way back, Mr. Shabir Shah, Mr. Sehrai, Naeem Khan, Sheikh Aziz, Shafi Reshi, Firdous Shah and others led a strong procession, which was lathi-charged.

Fourteen people, including Mr. Shabir Shah, were injured. He was shifted to the S.K. Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) for treatment.

Even as rumours spread that he was critical, Director SKIMS Abdul Hamid Zargar told The Hindu that he was stable. Another procession taken from Jamia Masjid and led by the head imam, was dispersed by police with smoke shells. Many people were arrested. Another Hurriyat leader Javed Mir was arrested when he tried to take out a procession towards Hazratbal in Khanyar area.