Journalism of Courage
Violent protests marred Eid celebrations in several parts of the Valley on Monday. In south Kashmir,17 police and paramilitary personnel,including seven officers,were injured when protesters threw stones at them.
As the congregational Eid prayers ended,people took to the streets at Anantnag,Sopore and old Srinagar city,raising pro-freedom slogans. The biggest protest was held at Anantnag,where hundreds of people participated in a procession. When the police and CRPF personnel tried to stop them,the protesters pelted stones at them.
Significantly,no separatist leader had called for protests today. Police had already put Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house arrest to prevent him from addressing an Eid congregation. However,Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was allowed to address the congregation at Srinagars grand mosque.
