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Saturday, Jan 06, 2007
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Protests against Saddam execution

Shujaat Bukhari

Hundreds take to the streets in Srinagar, other major towns of Kashmir

SRINAGAR : Violence following protests in Kashmir over the execution of the former Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, left over 70 people, including 10 policemen, injured.

Hundreds took to the streets in Srinagar and other major towns in the Valley.

Though no militant outfit or political party had given a call for the protests,the strike affected normal life. Few vehicles were on the road and attendance in offices thin.

Police fired rubber bullets, burst teargas shells and used batons to disperse the protesters, who threw stones on them. The biggest protest was in Nowhatta. People took out a procession soon after after Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid.

In Maisuma, Bahori Kadal, Safa Kadal, Barzulla and Regal Chowk in the city, people staged demonstrations and burnt effigies of U.S. President George Bush.

In Safa Kadal area, Station House Officer Showkat Ahmed was injured in the stone-pelting. Deputy-Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range, Farooq Ahmad, said the situation was under control.

Police were deployed in strength in the city, especially in Shia-dominated areas, to prevent any sectarian conflict.

Reports from the north Kashmir town of Sopore said several thousands took to the streets and raised anti-U.S. and pro-Islamic slogans.

A large number of people in Qazigund blocked the Srinagar-Jammu national highway for hours. Protesters also blocked the Srinagar-Bandipore highway for some time.

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