Prominent Shia cleric injured in clash

Prominent Shia leader and People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Imran Raza Ansari, was today injured during a clash between two groups of the community at a religious rally in Budgam district of central Kashmir, sparking protests by his supporters in parts of the Valley.
Ansari, who is PDP candidate from Pattan Assembly seat, was allegedly hit on the head during a clash between two rival groups of Shias at Khandah village this morning, eye-witnesses said.
Commenting on the incident, a police spokesman said there was a minor clash in the village early in the morning but the situation is under control.

"In the morning, there was a minor clash between two Shia groups in village Khandah. The situation is under control," the spokesman said and asked people not to pay heed to the rumours.
Police had imposed restrictions in the village following tension as the Shia community of the area was divided over holding of a traditional ritual.
However, one of the groups supporting the ritual invited Ansari resulting in clashes between the rival groups, the eye-witnesses said.
They said police also intervened and in the scuffle, Ansari was hit on the head and received injuries. A police officer was also injured.

The attack on Ansari led to tension in parts of Shia dominated interior Srinagar, Budgam and Baramulla districts as his supporters took to streets, enforced a shutdown and indulged in stone pelting.