Srinagar : Post Friday prayer protests erupted in some parts of Srinagar against alleged blasphemous posts on social networking site Facebook.
A group of people carrying placards bearing Islamic slogans marched from the uptown Maisuma locality to the city centre Lal Chowk after the prayers.
The protesters shouted slogans against those responsible for posting the Facebook comments. They demanded serious action against those responsible.
Police and the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in sufficient strength to maintain law and order. As the protests were peaceful, the security forces did not intervene.
However, later some youths gathered in the lanes and bylanes of the politically sensitive Maisuma locality and stoned police and the CRPF troopers.
The security forces maintained restraint. A few tear smoke canisters were lobbed by police to disperse the protesters.
Another group of protesters gathered in the Sarai Bala area, adjacent to Lal Chowk, raising slogans against the alleged blasphemy. As the protesters remained peaceful, the security forces allowed the gathering.
Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, placed under house arrest by the authorities, had called for post Friday prayer protests.
Another senior separatist leader, Shabir Shah, was also been placed under house arrest as a precaution in Srinagar.
IANS
