Srinagar: Several Muharram mourners were injured allegedly by pellets and tear smoke shells fired by police at Khomeini Chowk in the outskirts of Srinagar on Saturday.
Sources said that on Saturday, the 9th day of Muharram, some five hundred people took out a Muharram procession.
“Once we reached Khomeini Chowk, police, without any warning, resorted to tear smoke shelling and fired pellet guns injuring several mourners. Some were hit in the eyes,” said one of the mourners, who accompanied some injured to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.
Police said that there were strict directions that no processions should be allowed given the massive spread of Covid-19.
“The mourners were following all the set SOPs. They were wearing masks and maintaining the social distancing. What was the need for violent reaction,” questioned another mourner.
However, a top police officer said that the procession turned into a law and order situation as some of the people started pelting stones.
