8 Muslim Khawateen Markez activists arrested in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 9 (UNI) Police today arrested president of Muslim Khawanteen Markez (MKM) Zamrooda Habib along with her seven supporters near here during demonstration against alleged human rights violations in the state.

About 50 activists of MKM led by Zamrooda suddenly appeared near Partap Park here holding candles in their hands, demanding an end to human rights violations in the state.

However, when they marched towards Regal chowk, a large number of police personnel, mostly women constables, stopped them.

''We want to lodge a protest with the observers of United Nations Military Observers (UNMO) office at Sonawar,'' the MKM activists were shouting.

However, when they insisted that they be allowed to move forward, police chased them away. Later eight of them, including Zamoorda were put into waiting vehicles and taken to Kothibagh police station.

Raising pro-freedom slogans, they alleged that thousands of detenues in different jails in and outside the state were being tortured. The detenues were not being provided basic facilities in the jails, they said.

The activists said the graph of human rights violation by the security forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir has gone up.

UNI BAS NY KN1604