NC organise protest in Srinagar against braid chopping

Srinagar, Oct 21: The main opposition National Conference (NC) on Saturday organised a protest march against braid chopping in summer capital, Srinagar, where life remained crippled due to separatist sponsored strike. The separatists had also called for a general strike on Saturday against the braid chopping incidents while authorities had imposed restrictions in the areas under seven police stations in the down town, Shehar-e-Khas and parts of civil lines to prevent any law and order problem. Led by senior leaders, including General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar and number of former ministers, the NC activists, including women, assembled at party headquarter at Nawai Subh. Later the NC leaders and activists, holding placards, took out a procession and marched towards civil lines. However, when they reached near Polo View, they were stopped by security forces and state police already deployed there. A youth who raised pro freedom slogans was taken into custody by the police during the NC procession. Later the procession dispersed peacefully. The NC leaders alleged that government has failed to control the braid chopping incidents in the valley. They further alleged that the coalition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) was frustrated and since it has failed on all fronts. Demanding immediate arrest of all those involved in braid chopping, the NC leaders said and alleged that the ruling alliance was involved in the crime. UNI