New Delhi: Some parts of Kashmir were shut down spontaneously amid rumours that the Supreme Court was hearing petitions against Article 35 A of the Constitution. Twenty-two people got injured after protesters clashed with security forces even in the Valley.

The rumours spread after news agency report that a fresh plea by a BJP leader against Article 35 A was listed for hearing in Supreme Court on Monday. The reports said that the plea was ultimately dropped by the court after an adjournment letter was moved by the petitioner.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the main bunch of petitions on Friday against the Article 35 A of the Constitution, which empowers the Jammu and Kashmir’s legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to them. Earlier this month, the state government had moved an application in the Court to defer the hearing citing upcoming panchayat and urban local body elections.

As rumours spread on Monday, youth came out on roads particularly in south Kashmir’s Anantnag and Shopian districts and clashed with security forces who fired tear gas and pellets to disperse the stone throwing crowd in Shopian.

“Twenty two people who were injured due to pellets. Six of them including three with pellets in their eyes were referred to Srinagar hospitals for advanced treatement,” said chief medical officer Shopian, Abdul Rashid.

In Srinagar, shop keepers downed their shutters in Lal Chowk and traffic movement became thin as youth threw stones at policemen in Maisuma. Many schools and educational institutes closed early fearing escalation of violence.

Police as well as a separatist leader took to social media with messages to stem the rumours. The authorities also reduced the speed of mobile internet.