J-K: Clashes Erupt In Srinagar's Maisuma Area Between Yasin Malik Supporters and Police

Scores of individuals, including women, gathered at Malik's home at Maisuma, close to Lal Chowk's downtown area, and raised slogans in support of Yasin Malik.

New Delhi: Ahead of the Delhi court's verdict on the quantum of sentence for the separatist leader Yasin Malik, who was convicted in a terror funding case earlier this month, clashes erupted between supporters of JKLF chairman Malik and security forces in the Maisuma locality of Srinagar, authorities said. Supporters shouted slogans and created ruckus outside Yasin Malik's house and also pelted stones. Security forces have been deployed around his house and drones are being used to monitor his house and the entire area.

NIA Judge Praveen Singh has sentenced Yasin Malik to life imprisonment. Along with this, a fine of 10 lakh has also been imposed on Malik. However, the NIA had demanded capital punishment for Yasin Malik. 

Scores of individuals, including women, gathered at Malik's home at Maisuma, close to Lal Chowk downtown area, and raised slogans in support of Malik, the authorities said, adding that the protesters took out a protest march around the area.

The protesters attempted to move towards Maisuma Chowk and conflicted with security forces, they said.

However, there were no reports of any injury, they said.

A large portion of the shops and business establishments in Maisuma and bordering regions, including a few shops at Lal Chowk, were closed, officials added.

Shops in certain regions of the old city have additionally been closed, however, the public vehicle is plying normally, said officials. 

Security forces have been sent in strength in the city to avoid any law and order problems, they said.

Malik, the head of the banned JKLF, was on May 19 sentenced by a Delhi court under the stringent anti-terror law in a case related to the funding of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, after he pleaded guilty to all charges outlined against him.

Special Judge Praveen Singh had then posted the matter for May 25 to declare the quantum of punishment and furthermore coordinated with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to evaluate Malik's financial condition to decide how much fine that could be imposed.

(With PTI inputs)