Jammu and Kashmir: Pro-Hezbollah flags and slogans raised during 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar, FIR registered

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police have filed a case under stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against unknown persons for allegedly raising Hezbollah flags and slogans during 8th Muharram procession on Monday in Srinagar.

Police said the FIR was registered as there was a clear violation of guidelines that were issued by the administration for the Muharram procession that passed through the centre of Srinagar and was attended by thousands of the Shia mourners.

“There were some issues that were not as per the conditions (laid out for the 8th Muharram procession). We have taken legal course to those things and we have also told organizers to cooperate and not to do such kinds of things,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir V K Birdi said.

He didn’t divulge details if anyone has been detained in the case so far.

Sources said the FIR has been registered at the Kothibagh Police Station under Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) acts including UAPA. They said the several youth were summoned by the police during the investigations of the case.

On Tuesday, Member of Parliament and National Conference leader Aga Ruhullah had claimed that Police have arrested several youths for raising slogans in favour of the people of Palestine and carrying Palestine flag in a Muharram procession in Srinagar.

The 8th Muharram procession was banned since the outbreak of militancy over three decades ago and the J&K administration lifted the ban only last year.