Srinagar, June 1: Two youth were crushed by a paramilitary CRPF vehicle at Nowhatta in downtown after culmination of Friday prayers today, leaving one of youth critically injured.
A witness said that clashes between youth and police were going on at Nowhatta after peaceful Friday congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid. “There were a few hundred youth peacefully protesting at Nowhatta chowk and suddenly a CRPF vehicle pass through and almost overran two youth,” the witness said. “Both injured were immediately shifted to SKIMS, Soura.” The injured were identified as Younis Ahmed s/o Nisar Ahmed, a resident of Dalgate and Qasier of Fateh Kadal.
The condition of Younis was stated as critical, according to a hospital source. “He has suffered internal injuries,” he said. , CRPF spokesman in Srinagar Sanjay Sharma said that almost a group of 500 protestors surrounded the CRPF vehicle ferrying a senior officer, who were supposed to check the deployment in the area. “The mob tried to open the back door of the vehicle that was closed from inside and lynch the offers. They broke the window glasses of the vehicle,” Sharma said.
“The driver of the vehicle slowed down his speed and didn’t over run the youth.” As the news spread in the area, the number of protestors swelled resulting in massive clashes in the area. Clashes were on till late evening. “Five youth sustained minor pellet and tear gas shell injuries in the clashes,” a witness said.