JKLF activists clash with police in Lal Chowk

Clashes broke out between JKLF activists and police personnel in Maisuma area of Lal Chowk here soon after culmination of their protest march against the killing of scores of people in firing by the paramilitary forces at Gawkadal 25 years ago.
JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and his supporters paid homage to the civilian protesters who were killed in a firing by the CRPF at Gawkadal on this day in 1990.
Soon after the JKLF leader returned to his home, a group of youth started pelting stones at security personnel posted there to maintain law and order in the area, police said.

A police officer said tear gas shells were fired to disperse the miscreants, who kept regrouping to engage the law enforcement personnel.
There were no reports of anyone getting hurt in the clashes, the officer said.
Meanwhile, normal life in the city and other parts of the valley was affected due to the strike called given by several separatist outfits as a mark of protest against the Gawkadal killings.
Shops and other business establishments remained closed in most parts of the city but transport services were plying as usual.
While official records maintains that 20 people were killed in the firing at Gawkadal in 1990, human rights activists claim that over 50 people were shot dead by the personnel of paramilitary force.