14 injured in clash between freedom fighters and police in held Kashmir

At least 14 persons, including a photo journalist, were injured in the clashes between freeedom fighters and police during polling for the seventh phase of assembly elections in the Valley today. The incidents occurred when supporters of freedom groups attempted to take out march in violation of prohibitory orders forcing the police to resort to cane charge and lob teargas shells at many places, officials said. A group of people, shouting pro-freedom and anti-election slogans, tried to take out a march at Tankipora in the city but were intercepted by security personnel, the sources said. The protesters resorted to stone-pelting and in retaliation security personnel used batons and lobbed teargas shells to disperse them, the sources said, adding in the ensuing clash nine persons, including a photo-journalist, were injured. The condition of the photo journalist identified as Abid Bhat of Srinagar-based Political and Business Daily was stated to be serious, they said. The officials said security forces also used force and lobbed tear shells at Natipora locality of uptown city where a group of youth tried to take out a march. Similar reports were received from over one dozen places, including Nowhatta, Bemina, Lalbazar in the city.