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Women Activists Raid Hotels in Kashmir on Valentines Day

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Feb 14: Dukhataran-e-Millat, the women's separatist group raided hotels and restaurants in Kashmir on Thursday to prevent younger generation from celebrating Valentine's Day.

The women activists of Dukharan-e-Millat (Daughters of Nation) carried raids on at least four hotels and restaurants in the summer capital Srinagar. They caught hold of some couples celebrating Valentines Day in the hotels. They advised them not to fall prey to Western culture and celebrate the day.

"This is anti-Islamic and the Muslim youth of Kashmir should follow the principles of Islam", they advised the couples.

One of the leaders of the women's group said "The Saint Valentine is a symbol of vulgarity and it should not be propagated".

The activists of hardliner women's group, however, did not cause any damage to property.

While the raids were going on, youth were busy exchanging greeting cards and gifts at some other places in Srinagar.

Some youth, however, said that they would be celebrating belated Valentine's Day with their friends. "We will celebrate it without any threat from any quarter," said a youth.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.