Protests erupt in Srinagar over plans to build new townships for Kashmiri Pandits

Srinagar: Activists of separatist Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on Friday carried out protests in Maisuma area of Lal Chowk here over the issue of a separate township for Kashmiri Pandits in the valley.

The activists took to the streets shouting slogans over the issue of setting up of an exclusive township for migrant Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, police said.

They said police asked the protestors to disperse in order to maintain law and order but the youth refused and started pelting stones at the cops.

The cops fired tear smoke shells to chase away the protestors but clashes were still on, they said.

Read: Separatists can’t influence Kashmiri Pandits township issue: Karen Rijiju

Separatist groups, including JKLF and Hurriyat Conference, have called for protests against setting up of separate township for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. They have also called for a general strike tomorrow over the matter.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has clarified in the state Legislative Assembly that there were no plans of setting up separate township for the Kashmiri Pandits but steps will be taken for the return of the minority community to the Valley