Click to play videoSrinagar: Kashmir Valley has been once again rocked by violence with protestors attacking and setting on fire police buildings in Srinagar on Saturday after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers.
The first incident took place in the lawns of Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake when a violent mob attacked and set the police barracks on fire. Some police vehicles were also set on fire at Hazratbal.
A mob also attacked and set on fire the offices of Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch and the chief engineer in Srinagar. Police opened fire in the air in both the cases to disperse the crowd. However, there are no reports of any casualties.
Jammu and Kashmir government sources claim Chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, incited the crowd to indulge in violence.
The Mirwaiz called for a half-an-hour sit in protest in the heart of the city during his Eid sermon at Eidgah, where nearly 2 lakh people offered prayers. He asked them to march to Lal Chowk to stage a 30-minute protest against the recent killing of people in Kashmir.
"Half-hearted steps like partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would not help in improving the situation in the Valley," the Mirwaiz said during his Eid sermon.
A police spokesman also accused the Mirwaiz of aggravating the situation by "leading a procession to Lal Chowk, taking the advantage of the taking the advantage of the Eid congregation. He has vitiated the Eid celebration in Srinagar".
The spokesman also said activists of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Muslim League disrupted Eid prayers at Hazaratbal and set afire the Auqaf building housing the policemen and a police vehicle.
"Timely and prompt action of the fire service and police stopped the fire from spreading. The mob was dispersed. However, the situation is tense," the spokesman said.
Protests have been reported from other places including Sonwar and Lal Chowk. At Lal Chowk the mob tried to attack the historic Ghanta Ghar, trying to damage the stone building. The protestors were carrying placards, flags and shouting slogans against police for the recent killings.
The three-month unrest has so far claimed 69 lives in the Valley.
(With inputs from PTI)
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