Massive protests rock Srinagar, other parts of Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 12 (UNI) Thousands of people today joined protest demonstrations across the Kashmir Valley after Friday prayers on an appeal by the Coordination Committee (CC), spearheading the present agitation in Jammu and Kashmir.

As the Friday prayers were over in more than two dozen mosques in the civil lines, thousands of people took to streets, raising pro-freedom and religious slogans.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik, who was released after 11 days house arrest today, led a procession from Maisuma after Friday prayers were over in two main mosques in the area.

The processionists were also joined by the members of the Kashmir Bar Association, Muslim League chief Mushtaq ul-Islam at Budshah Chowk.

Raising-pro freedom and other slogans, they staged the massive protest demonstration at Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital.

People, who had offered prayers in other mosques in the city, also joined them.

Hundreds of doctors, paramedical staff and attendants of patients staged a massive pro-freedom demonstration within the SMHS complex after the prayers.

Reports of massive protests were also received from all parts of the valley, including Chadoora, Badgam, Charar-e-Sharief, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Pampore, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Tral, Baramulla, Sopore, Kupwara, Bandipora, Pattan and Sangrama.

The CC, an alliance of different separatists, traders and other organisations, is demanding among other things trade through Jehlum valley and other roads with ''Azad Kashmir'', release of all detenues and withdrawal of troops and special powers to security forces.

UNI BAS SW BD1450