Mirwaiz accuses forces of desecrating Jamia Masjid
After Friday prayers, clash erupts between protesters, security forces
SRINAGAR: Traders, who own shops in and outside the premises of Jamia Masjid here on Friday accused security forces of allegedly desecrating the mosque after Friday prayers and called for a shutdown on Saturday.
As soon as the Friday prayers were over at Jamia Masjid, a large number of youth raised profreedom and pro-Pakistan slogans and tried to march towards Nowhatta Chowk, police said.
Security forces deployed there asked the youth to disperse but they pelted stones on the forces leading to clashes between the two sides. Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq alleged that police forcibly entered the mosque and fired tear gas canisters. “The action of government forces is an act of state-sponsored terrorism,” alleged the Mirwaiz, who is also a head priest.
“It is highly unfortunate that every Friday, the administration deploys hundreds of police and CRPF men outside Jamia Masjid which becomes the major cause of turning the situation bad and hostile,” he added.
The Anjuman-e-Jamia Auqaf and Traders Federation Jamia Masjid has called for a shutdown on Saturday against the “desecration”. Moderate Hurriyat has supported the traders’ call.
“Such acts of violation of the sanctity are highly provocative for the Muslims and cautioned the administration to desist from creating such situation in the area,” said the Mirwaiz.
When Hindustan Times contacted police officials, they declined comment.
MIRWAIZ UMAR FAROOQ ALLEGED THAT POLICE FORCIBLY ENTERED THE MOSQUE AND FIRED TEAR GAS CANISTERS