Youths, police clash over demand to remove CRPF picket

Clashes between groups of youth and police today marked the fourth day of strike in Sopore township of North Kashmir in support of the demand for removal of a CRPF picket, official sources said.
   
No one was hurt in the clashes, which started early today at Arampora and adjoining areas in the town, 55 kms from here in Baramulla, whee an indefinite strike was announced on Friday to press for removal of the CRPF picket, the sources said.

The CRPF picket, located outside a bank, came under a grenade attack by militants on Friday leaving five jawans and a civilian injured. The CRPF personnel allegedly roughed up dozens of shopkeepers and pedestrians in retaliation to the grenade attack and beat them up.

All shops and business establishments remained closed, while transport went off the roads in the town since Friday.
   
Meanwhile, Handwara town of Kupwara district also observed a shutdown today against alleged highhandedness of a policeman.

Several hundred shopkeepers staged a peaceful sit-in outside the police station in the town, 80 kms from here, demanding action against a hawaldar who allegedly slapped the vice president of the local traders union for interference during settlement of a case related to possession of a shop.

The shopkeepers accused the policeman of taking bribe and supporting the wrong party, the sources said adding they later dispersed after senior police officers assured action against the official.