Security forces burst teargas in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 12 (UNI) Security forces burst teargas shells to disperse processionists who were raising ''pro-freedom slogans'' in the civil lines near here this afternoon.

As the Friday prayers were over in the mosques in the civil lines, thousands of people led by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik, Kashmir Bar Association and other religious leaders, gathered at historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital.

Raising pro-freedom slogans, the processionists marched through Maisuma, Budshah Chowk, Moulana Azad road, Gantaghar and Amira Kadal.

However, when they were moving towards the old KMDA bus stand, security forces fired teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the processionists.

Later, demonstration spread to about a dozen nearby areas where police and CRPF burst teargas shells to disperse the people.

JKLF spokesman strongly condemned the security forces action and alleged this action was unwarranted as the processionists remained peaceful.

He said there was no stone pelting incident or any provocative slogan during the peaceful procession.

UNI BAS KK KP1610