Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): A march, planned by some Muslim and Kashmiri Pandit activists to promote co-existence and peace in the Valley, was foiled by the police here today.
The police thwarted the joint march — ‘Saath Do’ — by detaining Satish Mahaldar, Chairman of little-known Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits (RRRKP), at Srinagar Airport when arrived to participate in the programme.
Mahaldar and Bollywood singer Saim Bhat were supposed to lead the march from Srinagar’s Batmaloo and move through downtown before culminating at the Kashmir Press Club.
However, as soon as Mahaldar reached Srinagar Airport, police detained him and took him to Kothibagh police station in Srinagar.
It was for the first time that such a programme had been planned in Kashmir. The main aim of the event was to “promote peace, pluralism and coexistence” in the valley.
Organisers had distributed white flags among the people in the area for hoisting atop their houses, shops and other places.
“People will hoist flags individually on their houses and shops across the valley. We have arranged flags and distributed them among the people for the event,” Mahaldar told NVI earlier.
The holding of protests and rallies is prohibited in Kashmir since Section 144 of CrPC, which bars assembly of more than 4 people, is in place in the Valley.
