Police lathicharge journalists covering Muharram procession in Srinagar
SRINAGAR: J&K Police lathicharged a group of journalists which was covering the Muharram procession in Srinagar on Wednesday. The security personnel also used tear smoke shells to disperse the mourners at Dalgate.
On the eighth day of the Muharram procession, the authorities had sealed certain pockets of the city. Barbed wires were placed to stop the procession, which hasn’t been allowed for the past two decades. The government, however, allows a procession on the tenth day of Muharram in several parts of Kashmir, with the biggest ones taken out in Budgam and Srinagar.
Some photographers alleged that their equipment was also damaged. Later, senior officers visited the spot and pacified the journalists.
Meanwhile, former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said that mediapersons were beaten up by security forces.
National Conference vicepresident and former chief minister Omar also sought intervention of J&K L-G Manoj Sinha. Kashmir IGP Vijay Kumar said people with vested interests were trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
A police spokesperson said, “A group started manhandling the police personnel deployed on duties. They also tried to mount on the BP Rakshak vehicle of SDPO Kothibagh. Despite such provocation, the officer and his party exercised maximum restraint, but a group of miscreants armed with sharpedged weapons started vandalising the police vehicle and also attacked SDPO.”
“In this incident, the police officer along with his escort personnel received multiple injuries and were shifted to hospital for treatment of their injuries,” the spokesman said.
He said a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation is in progress.