Srinagar: Hundreds of people on Friday staged protests in parts of the Valley against the fresh spate of killings, even as curbs remained in place in parts of Srinagar’s Old City and Friday prayers barred in the historic Jamia Masjid for the third consecutive week.
Reports reaching news gathering agency Global News Service said that in Srinagar, restrictions remained in place in the Old City areas of Nowhatta, Gowjara, Saraf Kadal, Zaina Kadal, MR Gunj in wake of the call for protests given by the joint resistance leadership (JRL) against the fresh spate of killings.
Hundreds of CRPF trooper and policemen in riot gear manned the streets of the Old City to keep protesters at bay.
Troops also placed under siege historic Jamia Masjid for the third consecutive week, reports said. No prayers were offered for the third straight Friday at the Grand Mosque that is located in Nowhatta, considered to be the bastion of senior JRL leader and Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
“For the third consecutive Friday, and 16th of this year, no prayers allowed at Jamia Masjid. 20 days of house arrest. On one side youth are being killed and on the other hand our religious rights are being curbed with power. Even raising voice against injustice is being stifled,” Mirwaiz wrote on his Twitter handle.
However, protests on JRL call were held in many places of Srinagar and elsewhere.
In Saraibala, dozens of people took out a rally in protest against the killings of militants and civilians at the hands of government forces. The protesters shouting “Stop bloodshed of Kashmiris” were led by led JKLF leader Noor Muhammad Kalwal.
“Today’s rally has been organised to protest against the unabated killing of youth across villages and towns. What was the crime of 8-year-old Uzair who was blown with a bomb? What was the crime of Rayees, who was shot dead after torture?” Kalwal told media persons outside the shrine of Datsgeer Sahab at Saraibala.
He urged the International community and the human rights organisations to take note of the human rights abuses committed by the government forces in the Valley.
“We are unarmed and helpless. It is your duty to help us,” he said.
A protest rally was also taken out by people in Wanganpora area of Eidgah. Scores of women and children also took part in the protest rally and denounced the recent killings.
People also staged a protest in Murran area of Pulwama against the killing of militants and civilians by the government forces. (GNS)
