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Dozen women protesters injured

SYED YASIR. Dated: 7/11/2014 12:05:01 AM

Local traders observe shutdown against police action

SRINAGAR, July 10: Over a dozen women protesters were injured when police used force to disperse a protest near Naaz Crossing when they were protesting against water scarcity in the area.
In protest against the police action, Maharaja Bazar and Sarai Bala markets of civil lines areas of Srinagar City observed a shutdown.
Reports said that this morning large number of protesters mostly women took to the streets near Naaz crossing and held protest demonstration against water shortage in the area.
The protesters later blocked the road near Naaz cinema and did not allow the traffic to ply in the area. The protesters were shouting slogans against the Public health engineering (PHE) for their alleged failure to provide drinking water in their localities in the holy month of Ramadan.
The protesters said that the localities like Maharaja Bazar, Sarai Bala and its adjoining areas are facing water shortage for the last one month. The protesters said that despite repeated pleas to the concerned PHE officials, they failed to provide them the water.
A large deployment of police including women cops reached the spot to maintain law and order and to restore the traffic. The police asked the protesters to open the road. The protesters ignored their plea and were continuously shouting slogans against the PHE officials.
The police swung into action and resorted to lathicharge to clear the road. The protesters tried to show some resistance. But the large number of police cops including the women cops did not provide them any chance to regroup and to continue their protest.
Reports said that atleast 18 women received injured and some of the serious have been shifted to hospital for medical treatment.
The police managed to control the situation and the traffic movement was restored in the area.
However, police action was condemned by the local traders. The traders of Sarai Bazar and Maharaja Bazar observed a day long shutdown strike against the police action.
The traders were saying that the demands of the protesters were genuine and added that it has become regular feature of police and other security force agencies to use force against the peaceful protesters.
All the shops, other commercial establishments remained closed in the twin markets. However, the traffic was plying normally on the roads.
Reports of water shortage also poured in from other areas of Kashmir valley.
Massive traffic jams erupted in the City center during the protest and Magarmal Bagh residents blocked the Airport Road complaining of water scarcity.
The roadside dharna had a cascading effect on traffic with vehicles stranded for around half-an-hour.