Hurriyat leader’s bid to take out march to UN office scuttled

Srinagar, Aug 17 (PTI) An attempt by moderate HurriyatConference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to lead a march to theoffice of the United Nations Military Observors Group (UNMOG)over the Kashmir situation was today scuttled by the police. Mirwaiz defied house arrest and tried to take out themarch from his Nigeen residence along with a dozen of hissupporters this afternoon but police stopped them and tookthem into custody, officials said. They said he was lodged at Nigeen police station. The separatists had given a call for a march to the UNoffice here to impress upon the world body to intervene andresolve the Kashmir issue. Authorities had deployed police and paramilitary forcesin strength in Srinagar, sealing all roads leading to theUNMOG office in Sonawar area of Srinagar. Prior to his detention, Mirwaiz said the proposed marchto the UNMOG was aimed at attracting the attention of the UNtowards the "grave" situation in the Valley. "The UN must stand up and take necessary steps to stophuman rights violations and resolve Kashmir issue," he said. Terming the situation in the valley as "grave andexplosive", the Hurriyat chairman said the UN needs to play a"positive role" to resolve Kashmir issue. A group of lawyers led by High Court Bar Associationpresident Mian Abdul Qayoom also tried to take out a marchfrom the High Court complex here but were stopped by police atBudshah Chowk bridge, the officials said. Carrying placards and banners demanding intervention ofthe UN to resolve Kashmir issue, the lawyers also demandedpunishment to the killers of 63 persons during the ongoingunrest in the Valley. The lawyers returned to the High Court complex afterstaging a peaceful sit-in at Jehangir Chowk. The officials said residents of several localities in thecity including Batmaloo, Chattabal, Safakadal, Noorbagh,Rainawari, Dalgate, Brain, Rawalpora, Shah Kadal, Habbakadal,Fatehkadal and Guru Bazar also staged peaceful sit-ins aftertheir attempts to march to the UN office were scuttled bysecurity forces. PTI MIJ TA MRJAKK