Clashes between mobs and police near Jamia Masjid in Srinagar

Srinagar: Areas around the historic Jamia Masjid here on Friday saw clashes between stone-pelting mobs and police as they shouted pro-freedom slogans after Friday prayers here, officials said.

They said clashes broke out outside the mosque in Nowhatta area of Srinagar and spread to adjoining areas like Gojwara and Rajouri Kadal.

As the prayers culminated at the grand mosque, a group of youth, shouting pro-freedom slogans, tried to march towards Nowhatta Chowk but were stopped by the security forces, they said.

The youth pelted stones on the forces who fired several tear-smoke canisters to disperse the protesters, the officials said, adding no one was injured in these clashes.

The stone-pelting clashes have become a routine at Nowhatta after Friday prayers over the past few months.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference had called for protests against arrest of ex-Delhi University Professor SAR Geelani and JNU students on charges of sedition following the Afzal Guru event in the varsity.

The Hurriyat activists staged peaceful protests at Sarai Bala near Magarmal Bagh and on Residency Road here, demanding Geelani's release.