10 injured in clashes in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least 10 people, including five policemen, were injured Thursday in the violent protests in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said. The clashes broke out between protesters and policemen in Maisuma locality of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir to protest the arrest of Mohammed Yasin Malik, chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), as well as his supporters in Doda town on Wednesday. According to JKLF spokesman, the delegation was carrying relief material for earthquake victims of Chenab valley. "Five of our policemen were injured when a group of people tried to stage protests in Maisuma today," said a police spokesman. "Some protesters were also injured in the police action and we are trying to gather details." Locals said five civilians who sustained injures in the clashes were taken to hospital. The area observed a shutdown against the Malik's arrest. Young protesters took to streets amid shutdown and shouted anti- India and pro-freedom slogans. Policemen used batons and fired tear smoke shells to chase the protesters, who retaliated by throwing stones and brickbats on them. An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale with its epicenter 23 km east of Doda town struck the region on May 1, causing extensive damage in the districts close to the epicenter. Two people were killed and around 100 others, including school children, suffered injuries in the earthquake due to collapsing structures. The separatist group was scheduled to distribute relief among the victims.