SRINAGAR: Soon reinforcements arrived at the scene to remove the barriers and bring the situation under control. The police also fired teargas canisters and resorted to cane charge to disperse the protesting youth.
The half marathon was organised by Big 92.7 FM, a nationwide private FM radio station owned by noted businessman Anil Ambani. International professional runners and cricketer Parvez Rasool were among around 5,000 people from different parts of the State and rest of the country participating in the marathon.
While clashes were underway, separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.com, “There is no point of holding Indian Corporate sponsored marathons while most of the damage to our ecosystem is caused by the Indian troops”.
Former CM and Opposition National Conference working president Omar Abdullah tweeted “I was looking forward to a nice, quiet run which wasn’t to be. Just as well I was advised against participating”. In yet another tweet, he said “The theme for the 5 km run was ‘save the Dal’. It’s such a pity that politics had to come in the way of that also.”
“The incidents of passing remarks were also witnessed at Habak crossing. Instances of molestation of girls by rowdy elements were reported,” cops said.
