SRINAGAR, Dec 10: Some 100 people marking International Human Rights Day were detained in occupied Kashmir on Friday during demonstrations against abuses by Indian troops.
Senior leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Shabir Shah were put under house arrest to stop them from leading protests. More than 500 activists from the hard line faction of the Hurriyat Conference marched in Srinagar, chanting anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans.
Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the marchers, injuring a dozen people. "Some 75 protesters were taken into preventive custody for disturbing law and order," a police official said.
Among those detained were Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Nayeem Khan and Ghulam Nabi Saumji. Nayeem Khan said the protest was to register anger against "rising human rights violations in Kashmir by Indian troops".
More than 100 members of the National Conference party, led by two lawmakers, staged a noisy march in Srinagar. "Down with state terrorism," they chanted. "We want (an) end to human rights violations." During two more demonstrations in Srinagar police detained over 20 Hurriyat activists.
APHC: All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Gilani has urged the United Nations to resolve the Kashmir issue without further loss of time on a permanent basis through democratic and political means keeping in view the wishes of the people of Kashmir.
In a letter addressed to Secretary General Kofi Annan on the occasion, he said Kashmiris were being denied fundamental rights, especially the right to live a life of dignity and honour in accordance with their wishes and aspirations. -Agencies
