Mainstream and separatist political parties held protest demonstrations in Kashmir on Tuesday to mark the International Human Rights Day. Rallies, demonstration protests and seminars were held in support of ending human rights abuses and restoration of social security in Kashmir.
Police placed several separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Shabir Ahmed Shah under house arrest. They had plans to lead protest demonstrations. Protesters clashed with police in several pockets of old Srinagar after Hurriyat leader Javed Mir led a protest rally. At least seven protesters were arrested after the clashes.
Police foiled Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Shah’s attempt to march towards United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) headquarters at Sonawar, Srinagar. However, he was arrested from his Sanat Nagar residence. A separate protest demonstration was held by the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) at Pratap Park. The affected family members carried placards and banners with slogans and photographs of the victims of violence in Kashmir.
Posters and paintings were put up on the theme of disappearances, demonstrating the trauma and the courage of the families of the victims. A handful of Hurriyat activists assembled at Residency Road to show solidarity with the families of disappeared persons. However, police stopped them after they tried to move towards lal Chowk.