Protests erupt in Kashmir against anti-Islam film

Protests against the controversial anti-Islam film, made in the US, rocked several parts of Kashmir on Friday but there was no violence reported from anywhere in the Valley even as authorities placed top separatist leaders under preventive detention to maintain law and order.

Protests were held after Friday congregational prayers outside many mosques and shrines in the Valley against the blasphemous video, uploaded on social networking site Youtube recently, officials said.

Shouting slogans against the filmmaker, hundreds of protesters took to streets in Maisuma, Budshah chowk, Court Road, Lal Chowk and Jamia Masjid areas, police said.

Meanwhile, the Imams (priests) during sermons in the mosques appealed to people not to indulge in vandalism of public property while they protest against the blasphemy.

"It is our right to protest against this heinous act aimed at hurting the sentiments of the Muslims. However, we should not indulge in vandalism as we will causing harm to our own property. We shall remain peaceful," said a priest at a mosque in Lal Chowk area.

Heeding to the advice of the Imams, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Barring a minor stone-pelting incident at Red Cross Road near Lal Chowk, the situation across the Valley so far was peaceful, police said.

Earlier in the day, police put the entire top brass of the separatist groups including chairmen of both faction of Hurriyat Conference - Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik in preventive detention to maintain law and order.

Cutting across ideological divide, all political parties have condemned the video.

Ruling National Conference said people who indulge in such acts represent a radical mindset hell bent upon vitiating peaceful atmosphere across the world.

CPI(M) state secretary MY Tarigami condemned the video, saying such incidents push humanity towards the brink of clash between civilisations.

"There has been enough bloodshed around the world and we need efforts to promote peace and amity. Such things will not help in this direction," Tarigami said, adding that peace across the globe can be achieved only through mutual respect between people professing various faiths.