Malik Begins Hunger Strike, Protests in Srinagar

By IANS

Srinagar : Pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik Tuesday began an indefinite fast here against alleged harassment of Muslims in parts of Jammu and “economic blockade against the Kashmir Valley”.

Malik began his fast near the JKLF headquarters at Maisuma where a 22-year-old protester died Monday when a tear smoke shell fired by the police hit him in the chest.

Kashmiri people carry a coffin containing the body of a youth during his funeral in Srinagar August 4, 2008.        REUTERS/Danish Ismail

The JKLF chairman Monday said he was concerned over the continuing violence in Jammu and alleged that the “administration was hand in glove with extremist elements”.

As Malik began his fast, parts of the summer capital of the state witnessed violent protests against the killing of the youth.

the police fired scores of tear smoke shells and resorted to repeated baton charges to quell violence in Maisuma, city centre Lal Chowk, Bohri Kadal, Hawal, Khanayar and Munwarabad in the old city.

Shouting anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and pro-freedom slogans, Kashmir’s bar association took out a procession here Tuesday afternoon.

Groups of youths also took out processions in parts of the uptown and old city areas.

Shops remained closed in most parts of Srinagar where police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength.

A report from south Kashmir Pulwama town said groups of stone pelting youths forced closure of shops and traffic in the town this morning.

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