New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday snubbed international media reports about the situation in Kashmir Valley, after having revoked Article 370.
Reuters and Al Jazeera recently reported that a crowd estimated to be as large as 10,000 raised slogans and banners opposing the Central government's latest move in the region. The MHA officially refuted the reports and mentioned in a micro blogging site, "A news report originally published in Reuters and appeared in Dawn claims there was a protest involving 10,000 people in Srinagar. This is completely fabricated and incorrect. There have been a few stray protests in Srinagar/Baramulla and none involved a crowd of more than 20 people."
The ministry further issued some videos by Doordarshan from Anantnag, which shows the situation as being normal.
International news agency Reuters claimed that while scores of smaller protests-largely involving young men throwing stones at the security forces-had already taken place, the channel showed video footage depicting a large crowd of protestors, several carrying black flags and holding signs reading 'Save Article 370', 'We want freedom' and 'Abrogation of Article 370 is not acceptable for us,' and marching towards downtown Srinagar.
The Washington Post report says that the security forces told protestors to turn back. However, when they refused, troops resorted to pellet guns and tear gas. Eyewitnesses told the news organisation that at least eight people were wounded in pellet gun attacks on Friday.
The Kashmir Valley has been under lockdown and a blanket communication ban has been imposed for a week now. Nearly 46,000 troops have been deployed in the state that was divided into two UTs.