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| Masked youth call for indefinite strike in Srinagar, leaders threatened to follow | | |
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 21: In a development that may have far reaching consequences on the separatist spectrum, masked youth, believed to be stone pelters called for indefinite strike to protest arrest of `innocent youth and their subsequent detention under draconian Public Safety Act (PSA).’
News of a Maisuma youth’s arrest during the preceding night and his shifting to Kotbalwal Jail this morning triggered violent demonstrations in Maisuma, in the heart of town Sunday. Angry youth pelted stones on the police who responded by tear smoke shells. The clashes left scores of persons including five police men injured.
As the clashes continued, a group of masked youth addressed the media persons and called for indefinite strike starting February 22. The masked youth urged the separatist leaders to support their call to ensure an end to what they called bloodshed and police raaj.
The youth threatened agitation against the separatist leaders incase they failed to support their strike call. “We seek cooperation of the people as well. The people alone can make the strike call a success”, they said.
Accusing the police of targeting the youth, they said: “We are fighting state repression. In the name of taming stone pelters, the police have been killing innocent youth. We do not have guns. We fight with stone”, they said.
“We seek release of Owais Ahmad Mandela of Maisuma and all other youth arrested for stone pelting across Kashmir. The strike shall continue till this demand is met”, they said.
For the second time in this month, veiled youth have ignored the separatist leadership and called for strike on their own. The earlier call had caused a stir in the separatist camp. The call evoked overwhelming response and paralysed life across Kashmir for a week forcing the Hurriyat leadership to the wall. This time the separatist leadership has been told in clear terms to cooperate or face agitation.
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