Peace and Justice Post

Srinagar, Sep 5: The call for peaceful protests after Friday prayers by the Coordination Committee evoked tremendous response across the Valley in spite of heavy rains in the afternoon.
However police used extensive force to quell peaceful processions outside the house of Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, at Hyderpora here and south Kashmir’s Islamabad district injuring dozens of persons.
The Coordination Committee, which is an amalgam of various pro-freedom parties, traders, lawyers and members of the civil society, had called for peaceful protests after Friday prayers.
Maisuma sit-in
Pro-freedom slogans rented Maisuma and its adjoining areas when hundreds of people staged a peaceful sit-in there amidst heavy rains.
After the Friday prayers a massive procession took off from Central Jamia Masjid Gaw Kadal, led by president of Jamait-e-Ahlihadis, Maulana Showkat. Hurriyat leaders Shahid-ul-Islam and Javid Ahmad Mir and Showkat Bakshi and Bashir Ahmad Bhat of JKLF participated in the sit-in at Maisuma.
The procession was joined by a large number of people, including the traders and shopkeepers of Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas. Shouting pro-freedom slogans the protesters staged a sit-in for half-an-hour at the Maisuma Chowk.
“We want freedom,” the protesters continuously shouted as the troopers of paramilitary CRPF looked on. Addressing the gathering, Maulana Showkat appealed people to maintain unity and make programmes of the Coordination Committee successful.
Talking to Greater Kashmir on the spot, Shahid-ul-Islam termed the peaceful protests across the Valley as huge success. “India cannot suppress the sentiments and aspirations of Kashmiris. The administration led by puppet Governor made all attempts to stop the Lal Chowk march. But we are determined to carry out the march soon and no power can stop it,” Shahid-ul-Islam said.

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