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Protest mars Friday prayer at Islamabad''s Lal Mosque

ISLAMABAD, July 27 (KUNA) -- Violent protests erupted in Islamabad's Lal (Red) Mosque as the government-appointed prayer leader arrived to lead the Friday Prayer for the first time after 102 people were killed in violent events three weeks ago.
More than a hundred angry students and locals, as well as relatives of students who have been missing since forces killed 102 persons in a deadly raid on the mosque, dragged the newly-appointed prayer leader, Maulana Ashfaq, and his supporter Liaqat Baluch, leader of the religious alliance Mutahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), outside the mosque and hurled shoes at cameramen.
They were chanting anti-government and "Jihad" slogans while, the relatives of missing students were wailing and condemning the government for killing their dear ones.
They demanded that the government released Maulana Abdul Aziz, deputy of the mosque, who was currently under police arrest. He was arrested while trying to escape with a group of girls during the operation.
Security officials provided Maulana Ashfaq and Liaqat Baluch security cover and drove them away. Talking to local Geo News, Maulana Ashfaq said that he would never lead the prayers in Lal Masjid.
The Lal Mosque, known for its red-colored paint, was opened for the public for the first time today since the military operation was carried out.
Officially, the death toll of the operation has been put near 102 but the MMA and clerics have claimed that more than 1800 were killed.
The government has painted the Mosque with a new coat of peach-colored but it is still known as Lal or Red Mosque.
Though bullet holes in the walls have been plastered and craters in the minarets repaired to give it a new look and anesthetize memories of the armed confrontation, efforts yielded little when worshippers gathered inside the mosque and were reduced to tears over the government-seen renovation.
Islamabads Commissioner Khalid Pervez, talking to media, said that action would be taken against the protesters after the Friday Prayer, which was being offered outside the mosque by many government politicians and led by another MMA leader. (end) amn.ema KUNA 271222 Jul 07NNNN