Kashmiris take to the streets to support Zakir Naik

Separatist leader Yasin Malik on Friday came out in support of Zakir Naik saying Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir stand with him and claimed an “unwanted and ugly campaign” has been initiated against the controversial Islamic preacher.

“It is a deliberate attempt of witch-hunt to suppress Muslims and Islamic institutions in India.

“This vicious campaign against a peaceful Muslim scholar is actually vindicating our point of view that Muslims in India are no longer safe and secured,” the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman claimed.

Groups of youth took to the streets at Press Colony and Khanyar in support of Naik, said officials, adding that the protesters, however, dispersed peacefully.

Meanwhile, groups of youth pelted stones at security personnel near Jamia Masjid and adjoining areas including Nowhatta, Saraf Kadal and Ranger Stop Khanyar shortly after the Friday prayers after the security forces scuttled their attempt to take out a rally, they said.

Police and paramilitary forces had to fire teargas shells and use batons to disperse the protesters, they added.

There was no report of any casualty though the clashes were continuing when last reports came in, they said.

A big group of youths indulged in stone pelting on security men at Muran Chowk in Pulwama district of south Kashmir against the alleged desecration by security forces of a local graveyard reserved for slain militants, said officials, adding that no one was hurt in the clashes so far.

Sopore township of Baramulla district and Kupwara town in north Kashmir also witnessed clashes between stone pelting protesters and security forces after the Friday prayers.

Stone pelting protests by “pro-separatist” youth after the Friday prayers have been a common phenomenon at various parts of the valley, especially downtown Srinagar, for some time now.