In a recent development, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have reported the arrest of ten individuals in Srinagar for their alleged involvement in activities aimed at disturbing the peaceful atmosphere in the city. The incident occurred following the Friday congregational prayers led by Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at Jamia Masjid Srinagar, marking his first appearance at the mosque in four years.
According to the Srinagar Police, the arrests were made on the grounds of the suspects attempting to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere outside Jamia Masjid immediately after the Friday prayers. In a statement posted on microblogging platform X, the Srinagar Police stated, “10 hooligans arrested for trying to vitiate peaceful atmosphere outside Jamia Masjid yesterday after Friday prayers. They shall be booked under relevant sections of the law. The public is requested not to indulge in such acts, failing which the law will take its own course.”
10 Hooligans arrested for trying to vitiate peaceful atmosphere outside Jamia Masjid Yesterday after friday prayers. They shall be booked under relevant section of law. Public is requested not to indulge in such acts failing which law will take its own course. pic.twitter.com/W8X3Zbm7LX
— Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) September 23, 2023
The arrested individuals were identified and taken into custody on Saturday, as confirmed by a police officer. The officer further noted that during his sermon at Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had appealed to the public to remain peaceful. Consequently, legal action is expected to be initiated against those arrested, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the law.
In light of these events, the police have issued a public advisory, urging citizens to refrain from engaging in activities that could disrupt peace in the region. They have made it clear that any such actions will be met with appropriate legal consequences.
This incident comes against the backdrop of previous arrests and legal actions taken in a similar vein. On April 9, 2022, the police arrested 13 individuals for allegedly raising “anti-India slogans” outside Jamia Masjid. These individuals were subsequently accused of sedition, and the Public Safety Act was imposed on them. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s recent return to delivering Friday sermons at Jamia Masjid follows his release from four years of house arrest, which began following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The Chenab Times News Desk
