Anantnag, Oct 7, 2017, Kashmir Pen: Amid shutdown, traders in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district staged a protest against alleged police excesses on Saturday.
The protesting traders accused Station House Officer Anantnag of harassment and demanded his immediate transfer from the area.
“After clashes with protesters on Friday, the police party headed by Station House Officer not only lobbed tear-smoke shells inside the shops but also thrashed of the traders. The police also detained some of the shopkeepers at Reshi Bazar,” the protesting traders told news agency CNS.
They said that if police excesses don’t stop, they will go for indefinite strike.
Shops and other business establishments remained shut in the district except KP road where shopkeepers did normal business.
Reports said that youth at Reshi Bazar, Mattan Chowk and Achabal Ada emerged in large numbers and pelted stones on government forces. Witnesses said that police lobbed tear-gas shells to disperse the protesting youth. Due to clashes and shutdown, normal life was disrupted in the town.
