Restrictions in central Kashmir district after protest

"Restrictions have been imposed in Tullamulla area following stone pelting incidents during the night," a police spokesman said in a statement on Saturday.

The protests broke out as local residents were not satisfied with police action against an employee of Education Department, who was allegedly caught with a girl in the Zonal Education Office at Tullamulla despite a public holiday yesterday.

The residents thrashed the local employee Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh while the girl managed to escape from the spot, the spokesman said, adding a mob set ablaze the motorcycle of the employee.

"The timely intervention of police saved the accused (employee) from the wrath of the violent mob, which tried to set the office building on fire as well. However, police foiled their attempt and they were dispersed," the spokesman said.

He said police registered an FIR against the employee who was allegedly caught with the girl.

The trouble again started last night when during the Shab-e-Qadir prayers, the Imam (prayer leader) of a local mosque allegedly made some statements on the incident.

"This led the people to indulge in severe stone pelting. The intense stone pelting on police continued till late night. Further reinforcement were taken from Srinagar and the situation came under control," the spokesman said.

Although the spokesman said only eight policemen were injured in the stone pelting, local residents claimed that at least a dozen protestors were injured in police action.

The police spokesman said four persons have been arrested in connection with the law and order problems.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)