Nasir Khan
Srinagar, July 17 (NVI) : The Jammu and Kashmir police have invoked the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against individuals involved in the 8th Muharram procession on July 15.
The participants were reported to have chanted slogans supporting Palestine, Hamas, and Hezbollah, and displayed Palestinian flags, leading to the registration of FIR 36 of 2024 at Kothibagh police station. The charges include sections 223 and 152 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and section 13 of the UAPA.
This procession, only the second since the lifting of a 34-year ban, was conducted under strict government guidelines to ensure peace. Despite these precautions, some mourners violated the directives, causing significant unrest. Incidents of similar nature have been reported throughout Muharram, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the guidelines.
Community leaders and politicians have condemned the actions of those who breached the rules, stressing that such behavior undermines the religious importance of Muharram, which honors the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his followers. They have urged for stricter compliance with the guidelines to preserve the sanctity of the observance and prevent potential disturbances.
The swift action by the police and administration in filing a UAPA case highlights their commitment to maintaining public order and national security. Authorities have pledged to enforce stricter measures to avoid future violations. (News Vibes of India)
