As hundreds gathered at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) here for the march to the United Nations office on Monday, volunteers took it upon themselves to ensure that there were no clashes between angry protestors and the security forces.

After the Hurriyat Coordination Committee asked people to maintain discipline and peace during the rally at the TRC, they made human chains between the people and the police.

“This is a peaceful rally,” said Bashir Ahmad Mir, a volunteer from Awantabhawan on the outskirts of Srinagar city. “We don’t want bloodshed. We don’t want to given them (security forces) any chance to open fire on people.”

On Sunday, Srinagar’s top police and civil administration had requested the Hurriyat leadership to shift the venue of the rally from the United Nations Military Observers’ office to some other place. The request was made as Sonawar houses several sensitive security installations besides the Army cantonment and the residences of top mainstream leaders. The police feared that the mob could attack these installations and houses, leading to the loss of life and property. The Hurriyat leadership had assured the administration that the rally would be peaceful.

At Radio Kashmir that lies adjacent to the TRC ground, police and CRPF were deployed in high numbers and the road leading to Sonawar was closed. However, the volunteers formed their own security ring and didn’t allow marchers to move close to the barricade.

“We believe in peaceful protests. They are more powerful,” said a volunteer Adil Rashid. “We are against violence and our leaders have said it. We are here to ensure peace on the ground.”

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