Protesters clashed with police after anti-India slogans were raised and Pakistani flags were waived on the campus of University of Kashmir during the Big Kashmir Marathon held at Hazratbal in Srinagar on Sunday.
The 21km marathon was flagged off from Naseem Bagh on the university campus and had to pass through the banks of Dal Lake along Foreshore Road.
However, the venue of marathon turned into a battlefield when the youth raised slogans in praise of Pakistan and for freedom of Kashmir, ANI reported.
The angry youth pelted stones at the security forces deployed at the venue. They also vandalised the stage and attempted to torch a police vehicle after security forces intervened to control the agitators, IANS reported.
In retaliation, the police and paramilitary forces lathi-charged the violent agitators and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Additional forces were rushed to the spot to control the situation.
"The situation is under control now," PTI reported quoting police.
The event, a first international marathon in Srinagar, was open to public.
Srinagar: Clash between police & protesters after pro-Pakistan slogans were raised at venue for Big Kashmir Marathon pic.twitter.com/k4UIADlWGX
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 13, 2015
Srinagar: Clash between police & protesters after pro-Pakistan slogans were raised at venue for Big Kashmir Marathon pic.twitter.com/6cj0LQd99X — ANI (@ANI_news) September 13, 2015
Following the unrest before the marathon, former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah cancelled his participation.
I was looking forward to a nice, quiet run which wasn't to be. Just as well I was advised against participating. https://t.co/IqESeF0TKH
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) September 13, 2015
The theme for the 5 KM run was 'save the Dal'. It's such a pity that politics had to come in the way of that also. https://t.co/0WzYryBgx6 — Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) September 13, 2015