Srinagar: Several anti-US rallies protesting against the attack on Iraq turned
violent with demonstrators pelting stones forcing police to resort to force to quell
the mob in Kashmir valley.
The largest rally was held at the historic Jamia masjid in downtown Srinagar, where
around 2,000 people led by senior Hurriyat leader Umer Farooq marched out of the
mosque, following the Friday prayers towards the Mirwaiz Manzil at Rajouri Kadal,
the headquarters of Awami action committee headed by Mirwaiz.
The protestors were shouting anti-US slogans like "Down with America, down with Bush
and Iraqi people we are with you."
Placards reading, "Bush is evil, Bush is enemy of humanity, do not shed blood for
oil and Bush and Hitler are the same, only difference is in the name," were held by
protesters.
The protest march reached the Mirwaiz Manzil peacefully without any untoward
incident, even as the police and paramilitary troops were kept a tight vigil on the
demonstrators.
The police used teargas shells to disperse the protestors. The protestors fled from
the scene, leading to chaos and panic in the adjacent areas.
However, it was not immediately known if there were any injuries in the police
action.
PTI
