FIR filed over pro-Gaza flags, slogans during Muharram procession

Srinagar, July 17

Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed an FIR under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly raising Hezbollah flags and slogans during the Muharram procession in Srinagar earlier this week.

Officials said the investigation is underway and an open FIR has been filed at the Kothibagh Police Station.

Thousands of Shia Muslims on Monday took a Muharram procession in Srinagar to mark the eighth day of mourning on the traditional Guru Bazar-Dalgate route.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, VK Birdi on Wednesday said some mischievous elements violated the conditions laid down for the procession and the police had to take legal action. He, however, did not provide details if anyone has been detained in the case.

For the Muharram procession, the administration had set some conditions this year, including participants shall not indulge in “anti-national/ anti-establishments speeches/ sloganeering or propaganda and no activity shall in any way affect the communal sectarian harmony, religious, ethnic cultural and religious sentiments of the people.”

Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti said that police booking the mourners under UAPA for protesting against the “atrocities” in Palestine “isn’t just an egregious overreach” but “shows how deep state reigns supreme in J&K.”

On Tuesday, Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi had claimed that J&K police had arrested a number of youths for raising slogans in favour of the people of Palestine and carrying Palestine flag.

Meanwhile, thousands of Shia mourners on Wednesday took out Ashura procession in Srinagar to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussain on Muharram.