Braid-chopping: 10 hurt in clashes between protesters, police

Srinagar: At least 10 people were injured on Saturday in clashes with law enforcement authorities during protests over increasing braid-chopping cases in the Valley, police said.

Residents agitated over the incidents reported in Boniyar in Baramulla district protested in the area, the police said.

They alleged the police used pellet guns to disperse the protesters. Seven people were injured, they claimed.

However, a police official said they only used smoke shells and batons to disperse the protesters.

Protests were also reported from Khanyar and Maisuma areas of the city. Three people sustained minor injuries during the clashes, officials said, adding the protesters were chased away with "minimal" use of force.