By NUZHAT MUSHTAQ

Police today foiled a bid by Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) to hold a protest dharna at Pratap Park here against the human rights violations in Kashmir and arrested its president Shabir Ahmad Shah along with others separatists leaders, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Javid Ahmad Mir and Mohammad Yousuf Naqash. A number of party workers were also taken into custody.

The call for the protest was given by Shabir Shah also to give a message to prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh that his assurance regarding zero tolerance for human rights violation does not exist on the ground. Dr. Singh had given assurance during his earlier visit to Kashmir and had also assured to put to an end the human rights abuses in the valley.

Shah had appealed his party workers and other separatist leaders to assemble at DFP headquarter at Sanatnagar. They were then scheduled to move towards Pratap Park for a dharna.

A spokesman of DFP alleged that thousands of people who were coming to Srinagar from different districts were stopped on way and sent back. Shah was placed under house arrest at his party office. The tent set up in the compound of the office was removed by cops last night. Despite restrictions, large number of party workers managed to reach the DFP office. They tried to move out towards Pratap Park but police threw strong cordon around the office and prevented them from moving out.

Shabir Shah strongly condemned the police action and alleged that the government is bent upon crushing the voice of people. “We want to communicate to the Indian prime minister that his zero tolerance assurance does not exist on ground. The human rights violations continue. Dozens of incidents of human rights violation have been occurring. Those involved are moving scot free. Be it Shopian incidents or that of Machil or others, there is no solid action,” he said.

DFP chairman alleged that Kashmir’ are now being targeted through courts. He in this connection referred to the hanging of Mohammad Afzal Guru, awarding life sentences to Kashmiri prisoners and repeatedly booking of Kashmiris under public safety act.

Shah said the movement cannot be crushed by such actions. He appealed the people to observe the general strike on the arrival of prime minister in Kashmir. “We want to give this message to Dr. Singh that an economic package is no alternative to freedom. Kashmir is a political issue which can be solved through implementation of UN resolutions or by tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and pro freedom leadership ,”he added.
After Shah’s speech as the separatist leaders tried to move towards Pratap Park they were arrested along with their supporters by police.