Three put up Israeli, US flags in Srinagar, two detained

The Srinagar police have detained two persons for allegedly affixing foreign flags in Srinagar’s Balhama area during night hours in an apparent attempt to “disturb public peace and order.”

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The police said acting on credible inputs, including “visual evidence” indicating the installation of “United States and Israel flags”, Srinagar police launched a prompt investigation using various techniques and ground-level verification.

“During the course of the investigation, 6–7 suspects were identified and questioned. Sustained interrogation led to the confirmation of involvement of three individuals,” the police said in a statement. They said the suspects have been identified as Mohsin Ali, Bilal Ahmad Dar and Amir Ali Dar.

“Two of the accused have been detained and efforts are underway to apprehend the third,” the police said.

Srinagar police said the “act is being seen as a deliberate attempt to provoke public sentiment, disturb communal harmony and propagate anti-social narratives.” “Legal action under relevant provisions of law has been initiated,” the police said.

In another incident, Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Tuesday that three minor girls were counselled after a graffiti resembling an Israeli flag was “painted” on the road outside the main entrance at Imambara (congregation hall of Shia Muslims) in Srinagar’s Zadibal.

According to the Srinagar police, legal action “shall follow strictly in accordance with the juvenile justice framework.”

The police in a statement said that Zadibal police station received information about a graffiti resembling a foreign flag (Israel) painted on the road outside the main entrance of Imambara Zadibal. A police team reached the location and ensured “immediate removal of the graffiti to maintain communal harmony and public order.”

“Preliminary inquiry revealed the involvement of three local teenage girls (names withheld due to age), all students residing in the area,” the police said.

The police said given “their age and the sensitivity of the act, their parents were called to the police station and the minors were counselled in their presence.”

“They were sensitised about the implications of such actions and the need to uphold communal harmony and responsible civic behaviour,” the police said, adding that legal action shall follow strictly in accordance with the juvenile justice framework.