Srinagar: As Kashmir observed the 8th Muharram in solidarity with Palestine, raising Palestinian flags during the procession in Srinagar, the Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested several youths, with senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi demanding their release.
According to reports, Palestinian flags were raised during the 8th Muharram procession in Kashmir, with locals chanting anti-Israel slogans. However, no such display was observed on 9th Muharram, Tuesday, 16th July.
In a post on X, Mehdi stated, "The Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested several youths for raising slogans in favour of the people of Palestine and carrying the Palestinian flag in a Muharram procession yesterday in Srinagar."
“This is an assault on freedom of expression, especially an expression in favour of the oppressed people. As conveyed through telephonic conversation, the police should release these men and avoid treating them as criminals,” reads the post.
Police have not yet confirmed the arrests.
However, KDC quoted official sources saying the arrests were made over ‘Hezbollah slogans,’ citing concerns of 'unrest' and 'disturbing public order'.
“The open FIR has been filed at the Kothibagh Police Station in Srinagar under FIR no 36/ 2024 under section 2223, 152 of BNS Sections and 13 UAPA, he said.
The 8th Muharram procession along the traditional route in Srinagar, from Guru Bazar in Karan Nagar to Dalgate, was banned following the anti-India uprising in Kashmir during the 1990s. Last year, the LG administration permitted the procession to follow its traditional routes once again.