Protests continue in Kashmir against Iraq shrine attack

Srinagar, Jun 15 (UNI) The Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and several other organisations took out marches and held demonstrations here today in protest against an attack on a revered Shi'ite mosque in the Iraqi city of Samarra on Wednesday.

Protests continued to rock different parts of the Kashmir Valley for the second consecutive day today against the attack.

A report from Kargil said shops and business establishments in the entire town shut down for almost four hours after the Friday prayers. Traffic also remained off roads during the period.

Several Muslim scholars and leaders condemned the attack at a gathering in the Islamiah High School at Kargil and appealed to the people to remain united.

Mr Geelani led a procession from Koker Bazar here to 'Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower)' after the Friday prayers.

Addressing the gathering, he blamed the US for the attack and alleged that America and Israel were trying to ''divide the Muslim world on communal lines''.

''Bombing at Samarra mosque has been carried out for creating a wedge between the two communities, but we will not allow them to succeed in their nefarious designs,'' he asserted.

Later, activists of the Democratic Liberation Party (DLP), led by Hashim Qureshi, also took to the streets, raising anti-US State and anti-Israel slogans.

The angry protestors burnt US President George W Bush in effigy.

Protests were also held in many areas of the Kashmir valley, including Badgam, Baghwanpora, Mirbehri, Saida Kadal, Zadibal, Khomeini Chowk Bemina, Karan Nagar and Shalimar.

Two minarets at the revered Golden Mosque, one of the four major Shi'ite shrines in Iraq, was blown up in a bomb blast on Wednesday.

UNI