Srinagar, Sept 22: Leader of the breakaway group of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, Syed Saleem Geelani and 15 of his party activists were taken into preventive custody today for staging a march in the city to protest alleged human rights violations. Carrying playcards and party flags, Geelani and others marched towards the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's residence at Maulana Azad road in violation of prohibitory orders in force in the city, raising slogans to end alleged human rights violations, release of prisoners and punishment to the army officer allegedly involved in the custodial killing of a bridegroom at Tujjar Sharief about a week ago.
However, on reaching the Chief Ministers official residence, they continued their march towards Lal Chowk but were stopped by police near women's college and asked to disperse. Addressing a press conference, prior to the March, Geelani said the purpose of the march was to highlight the human right violations being perpetuated on the people of Kashmir by the security forces in the state.

The March was also aimed at passing a message to the leadership (separatists) that they should raise above party lines, end internal discord and lead the people unitedly to see an end to the atrocities and work for the peaceful solution of Kashmir issue, he said. Bureau Report