Srinagar, July 19: Hundreds of people on Friday staged protests against water scarcity, blocking the Srinagar-Baramulla highway at Chainbal Pattan.
The protest later turned violent, with demonstrators resorting to stone pelting. In response, the police resorted to lathi charge and tear gas shelling.
Eyewitnesses told that from early morning, people from Chainbal Pattan had blocked the highway due to water scarcity in the village for the past several days.
“They blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla highway for several hours, demanding water supply to the village. After some consultation, police tried to resolve the issue, but the protest turned violent, with demonstrators resorting to stone pelting,” Mushtaq Ahmad.
Many people, including drivers, were injured due to stone pelting. Later, the police dispersed the protesters with lathi charge and tear gas shelling. Many vehicles also suffered significant damage.
A senior police officer stated that some people had staged a protest against the water shortage, but it turned violent, resulting in many passengers getting injured.
“We have registered a case in this regard,” he said.
People’s Conference President, Sajad Lone in a post said that “What on earth is happening in Chenabal, Pattan. People are simply registering their protest against scarcity of water. ”
“And what is the response of the JK police. It is as if they are at an encounter site. Can u please start listening to people and render a “supreme sacrifice” of treating humans as humans,” Lone said.
Meanwhile BJP Kashmir said that Party’s Media Incharge Kashmir, Adv. Sajid Yousuf Shah, and Social Media Incharge, Er. Sahil Bashir Bhat, were attacked by an unknown mob in Mirgund Pattan. PSO’s were also seriously injured, the spokesman said.–(RK)
