Clashes erupted in Srinagar on Sunday between the youth and security forces during the first-ever international half-marathon.

The protestors pelted stones at security forces, who resorted to cane charge and firing of teargas shells to disperse them, police said. He added that “the situation is under control now”.

The 21-km half-marathon, organised to raise awareness about saving Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake, was flagged off in the morning from Kashmir University at Hazratbal.

As many as 15 international athletes had confirmed their participation in the event for which more than 15,000 people had registered.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Twitter: “The theme for the 5 km run was ‘save the Dal’ It’s such a pity that politics had to come in the way of that also (sic).”

The ruling PDP government accused some protesters of indulging in “eve-teasing and molestation” of female runners leading to the disturbance.

12 arrested for eve-teasing

The police arrested 12 persons allegedly involved in incidents of molestation and eve-teasing during the half-marathon.

“A sporting event was organised today at Kashmir University which attracted a huge gathering mostly of youth. Besides some international marathoners, a large number of locals also participated. The race was flagged off as scheduled and the function was going on smoothly till some miscreants within the crowd started passing obscene and lewd comments at girl participants and those in the audience,” a police spokesman said.