Clashes broke out between protesters,agitating against recent arrests of youths allegedly involved in recent stone-pelting incidents,and security personnel in Nowhatta area of old Srinagar city. A group of youths emerged from Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta and started pelting stones on police and paramilitary personnel deployed there,sources said. Police initially used batons to chase them away,but had to fire tear gas shells in an attempt to restore order in the area,they said. Police officials have denied anyone getting hurt in the clashes,but eyewitnesses claimed that one youth injured by a tear gas shell. The youths were protesting against the arrests made by police since last Friday following violent protests in Nowhatta,Gojwara and adjoining areas. This is for second consecutive Friday today that stone-pelting incidents have been witnessed in Nowhatta area of the city after remaining peaceful since October last year.
