Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRI NAGAR: Clashes between Kashmiri youth and the police continued on Friday, and what stood out were the green and black flags sported by the agitators. Two days after the Army chief warned those indulging in ‘anti-national’ activities, youngsters in Srinagar took to the streets after congregational prayers, waving Pakistan, Islamic State and even Lashkar-e-Taiba flags.

A group of masked youngsters clashed with the police and paramilitary personnel at Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar, chanting pro-Pakistan, pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

They pelted stones at cops, who responded by firing smoke shells and the now-controversial pellets, and resorting to heavy baton charge. The clashes eventually spread to adjoining areas, up to half a kilometre around Nowhatta.

“Down with India,” protestors shouted and pelted stones at the police and CRPF men. After about an hour of action and violence, the youngsters disappeared from the scene and normalcy restored. Some of them sustained injuries in the clashes. “It was much after the actual clashes that ISIS and Lashkar-e-Taiba flags were waved,” said sources in the public and police force.

“Waving of Pakistani flags is nothing new, it happens every Friday in downtown Srinagar,” they said. Clashes, of similar fashion, were also reported in the volatile Sopore area of Baramulla District in North Kashmir.

Earlier, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had warned those creating hurdles during anti-militancy operations, saying they would also be treated as anti-nationals and would face ‘harsh’ actions.

Cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, considered to be a moderate separatist leader, termed the Army chief’s statement “unfortunate”, during his Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid. “This illustrates the mindset of the Government of India, which has given a free license to kill people of Kashmir. It is also against all international laws and regulations,” he said.

The CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also expressed disappointment over General Rawat’s statement. “At a time when efforts need to be made to reach out to people, such statements end up widening the gulf between people in the Valley and rest of the country,” he said.