Life returns to normal in Srinagar after day-long clashes

Srinagar, Apr 25: Life returned to normal in summer capital, Srinagar, where day-long clashes between students and police left at least 20 people, including 12 security personnel, three of them officers injured. Dozens of workers of Srinagar Municipal Corporation were put into service since early this morning to clear stones and bricks from the Moulana Azad road, particularly near S P Higher Secondary Institute and Government Women’s College.

Shops and business establishments reopened in the Civil Lines, including historic Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Moulana Azad road, Regal Chowk, Residency road, Exchange road and Red Cross road. Traffic was also plying on all routes normally.

Business and other activities came to a halt in the Civil Lines when students of S P College, S P HSS and Women’s College boycotted their classes and hit the streets, demanding action against the security forces, who entered Degree College Pulwama and allegedly thrashed students, including girls, on April 15. However, students pelted stones after they were stopped from moving towards Lal Chowk by security forces, who burst teargas shells, used coloured water and resorted to lathicharge.

A police spokesman said 12 security force personnel, including three officers were injured, in the stone pelting and some miscreants were also taken into custody during the clashes. Dozens of SMC workers were seen removing stones and bricks from the main roads besides Exchange road. The educational institutions remained closed today on account of Shab-e-Miraj holiday.