Anti-Israel protests in Srinagar again

Srinagar, July 15 (IANS) Scores of youths Tuesday walked through busy markets shouting slogans to denounce the Israeli bombing of Gaza that have killed nearly 190 Palestinians, officials and witnesses said.

Although schools and colleges were shut in the Kashmir Valley Tuesday for a 15-day summer recess, the young from the city took to the streets.

The demonstrators passed through the city centre Lal Chowk and other parts of Srinagar. Police and the Central Reserve Police Force were deployed on the streets in riot gear.

The protests were peaceful. The markets and other businesses functioned normally too.

Police had exercised maximum restraint also Monday when a larger number of students, lawyers and even government employees protested against the Israeli attacks.

Prominent leaders in the Kashmir Valley, including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, have condemned Israel's bombings in Gaza.

Since July 8, Israel has been engaged in a large-scale aerial operation on the Gaza Strip. Israel says it is targeting the Hamas and other militant groups in the coastal enclave.

The Gaza-based health ministry said the operation has killed at least 187 people, wounded 1,390 and destroyed more than 250 houses.