Clashes break in Srinagar as Kashmiri students chant pro-Pakistan slogans

ISLAMABAD: Clashes broke out in Indian-held Kashmir on Sunday when Kashmiri students chanted pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans at the venue of a marathon in Srinagar.

Footage showed the university students as chanting “Pakistan! Pakistan!” and pro-freedom slogans at the venue of the 'Big Kashmir Marathon' in Hazratbal area of Srinagar as Indian forces fired tear-gas shells and baton charged the young demonstrators, a news channel reported while quoting Kashmir Media Service (KMS).

The 21-kilometre marathon was scheduled to begin from Naseem Bagh at the Kashmir University and go along the scenic Dal Lake.

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Kashmiri youth shouted slogans in favour of freedom and pelted rocks on the forces guarding the venue in the varsity. Police and paramilitary forces fired teargas shells on protesters at Habak crossing near the venue.

Speaking to a news channel (Geo News), senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Gilani said that under the influence of power, the Indian administration has been ignoring reality on the ground in held Kashmir.

“If they had taken notice, then the armed occupation would have ended a long time ago,” he told the news channel.

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The youth marathon comes after two days of strikes in Indian Held Kashmir on the call of Hurriyat leaders.

The organisers said the aim of the 'Big Kashmir Marathon', in which professional runners from outside India also participated, was to promote healthy lifestyle and raise awareness.