Hurriyat leaders to march to UN office; curfew in Srinagar

{image-Hurriyath march_18082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Srinagar, Aug 18: Hundreds of security personnel were deployed here on Monday, Aug 18 as the separatist Hurriyat Conference prepared for its march to the UN office to present a memorandum seeking permanent resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The Hurriyat coordination committee held a protest march to a UN office in Sonawar near Srinagar. Though it initially planned a show of strength, the numbers were cut down and only a representative group went ahead to the UN Military Observers Group at Sonawar. The number of representatives was curtailed to a small one after the administration approached the Hurriyat Conference to help maintain peace during their proposed march to the United Nations office.

The civil lines area of Srinagar is under heavy security blanket in view of the proposed march by Hurriyat Conference's Coordination Committee to the United Nations Military Observers Group office to present a memorandum over the alleged human rights violations in the Valley.The security has been beefed up in all important installations around the area.

Meanwhile, in Jammu, a three-day 'jail bharo aandolan' called by the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS) begins on Monday, Aug 18. As a part of the Samiti's plans to intensify their protests, male supporters will demonstrate and court arrest on Monday, followed by women on Tuesday and children on Wednesday, a senior Samiti leader Brigadier Suchet Singh told reporters on Sunday in Jammu.

On the other hand, State Governor NN Vohra has extended invitation to SASS leaders for talks so as to find an amicable solution to the land dispute. The Samiti, which so far had been refusing to talk to the Governor, said they are open to talks with the Government. The BJP, which is sympathizing with the agitating Hindus in Jammu, has also announced a similar all India "jail bharo andolan" on August 21.

ANI