Kashmiri separatists leaders today staged pro-Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) protests and sought release of SAR Geelani and other student leaders of the university for participating in a function held on the third death anniversary of hanged Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
The protest march was, however, foiled by the police. Various separatist leaders tried to take a march towards the city centre which was not allowed by the police. Several leaders were detained by the police.
The call for the protests was given by Hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani against the arrest of SAR Geelani and other student leaders.
Meanwhile, clashes broke out in old city after Friday prayers. The clashes between the youth and the police were reported from volatile Nowhatta area. Police fired several teargas shells to disperse the protesters when they tried to take a march after offering Friday prayers at Jamia mosque. The clashes later spread to Gojwara and Rajouri Kadal. Some of the youth were detained by the police during the clashes.
Earlier, the chairman of the moderate Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, while addressing the Friday gathering said the “unrest” in Kashmir was due to “hard policies of the Government of India”.
He said it was unfortunate that those who talk about the Kashmir resolution these days were being declared an “anti-national”.
“Kashmir issue is reality and the voices for its resolution will get louder with each passing day,” he said.
Pro-JNU protests, clashes erupted in Srinagar
