Srinagar, Oct 14: A lawyer Thursday attempted self-immolation here while many hundred others staged protest demonstration to press for their demand to release Kashmir Bar Association President and other colleagues.
Sources said that hundreds of lawyers assembled in Saddar court here and staged protest demonstration seeking unconditional release of Bar Association President, Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom, its General Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, and Muhammad Shafi Reshi.
A lawyer, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, sprinkled petrol on himself and tried to set himself ablaze inside the court premises. However the other lawyers snatched match stick from his hand and whisked him to safety.
“We have been protesting against the illegal and erroneous arrest of Bar President, General Secretary and our other colleague for more than 100 days and today’s protest was meant to press government to release them unconditionally,” Treasurer of the Bar, Tanveer Ahmad, said.
The three lawyers have been booked under Public Safety Act. He said that members of District Bar Associations including Varmul, Budgam, Islamabad and others also participated in the protest demonstration. Regarding the future course of action, he said a meeting would be convened in a day or two.
The lawyers had on Wednesday served three-day ultimatum to the government and threatened to lockdown all courts in Kashmir Valley in case their demand was not meant.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST