By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Srinagar: The inaugural day of the civil secretariat in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, remained tense as state Congress unit and Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) staged protest rallies against the government. All the business establishments in the valley remained shut on the call of KTMF to protest the alleged failure to provide relief and rehabilitation to the flood stricken traders.
The traders took out protest march from Budsha Chowk towards civil secretariat but were stopped and dispersed by use of tear gas shelling by the police.
On the other side of Lal chowk, the Congress Party workers took out protest procession from party headquarters on MA Road towards civil secretariat alleging Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of entering in an “unholy alliance” with the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) for the sake of power and backtracking the promises made during election campaign.
As Ghulam Ahmed Mir, state Congress president, started addressing Congress worker near Budsha Chowk, number of youths from nearby Maisuma locality shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans pelted stones on the rally prompting the Congress workers to flee the spot.
The stone pelting youths were chased back into the locality by security forces. While covering the protest one video journalist Sajid Sheikh of ANI was beaten up by police including two other media persons namely Shah Jehangir, photo journalist (CNS) and Raqib Hameed Naik, staff reporter (Twocircles.net) were abused and manhandled.
Trader displaying a banner pleading the government to take action against erring officials of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Sales Tax who allegedly harass the traders frequently.
Police men fire tear gas shell towards KTMF members to disperse them as they proceed with their march towards civil secretariat Srinagar.
Protesting KTMF members runs for safety as police use lathi charge and tear gas canisters to check their advancement towards civil secretariat.
Workers of the state Congress unit while taking out protest procession towards civil secretariat, Srinagar.
Workers of Budgam unit of Congress party with a banner declaring May 5 as ‘Black day’ over non fulfillment of promises by the government.
Youths who pelted stones on Congress rally indulging in stone battle with security forces.
Face-off between police and youths as both sides are adamant in pushing back the other side.
A teenage boy in front of shutters inscribed with graffiti pelts stones on security forces to vent off his frustration against the government.
Protesting youth dares police men to fire tear gas shell aiming directly at him.
Teenage boy throws back the tear gas shell fired by security forces.
A protesting youth shields himself behind a tin sheet to dodge the stones pelted by security forces.
An alleged stone-pelter being thrashed mercilessly by the security forces.
(All photos by Raqib Hameed Naik)