BEEF BAN IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR- PROTESTERS WAVE IS,PAK FLAGS

Clashes broke out here on Friday between police and people protesting against the Jammu and Kashmir High Court directive to ban beef in the state with some youth displaying Pakistani and ISIS flags.After Friday prayers, a group of masked youth set ablaze the tricolor and displayed several controversial flags including that of IS, Al-Jehad terror outfits and banners resembling Pakistani flag near the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of downtown Srinagar.They also carried posters of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar.

Some protesters also pelted stones at police personnel posted on law and order duty in the area. Police fired tear smoke shells to disperse them, a police official said.The were no reports of any injuries.The clashes were going on till reports last come in, the official said.Meanwhile, several bovine animals were reportedly slaughtered in south Kashmir's Anantnag district as a mark of protest against the High Court order.

Prof. John Kurakar