Pakistan today expressed concern over the house arrest of Kashmiri separatist leaders on Eid and asked the international community to take notice of the "violations" of their "fundamental rights".
"We are deeply concerned over detention of Kashmiri leaders on this sacred day, in violation of their fundamental right of religious freedom. We call upon the international community to take note and urge the Indian Government to respect the basic rights of Kashmiris," Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz was quoted as saying in a statement by Foreign Office.
Aziz also felicitated Kashmiris on Eid.
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir had placed top separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik under house arrest, fearing their presence at large Eid gatherings could spark violence.
The Eid festivities in parts of Kashmir were yesterday marred by stone-pelting and the resultant clashes, in which more than 30 people, including a senior police officer and 20 other security personnel, were injured.
