Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar on Wednesday condemned the “brutal police assault” on the Muharram procession at Jahangir Chowk, saying “the attack on the mourners lays bare the pronouncement of administration on allowing Muharram Processions”.
Condemning the police assault on the Muharram procession, Sagar said: “the administration is speaking with a forked tongue. On one hand it announced that Muharram processions will be allowed but on the other hand police go berserk on mourners who try to carry out one. He said the spine chilling scenes at Jahangir chowk has sent every saner voice in a state of disbelief and shock.”
“The unspeakable assault on mourners and the horrific images of young boys writhing with pain and blood oozing out from their mouths at Jahangir chowk lets slip the administration’s seriousness on allowing annual Muharram processions. Dozens of mourners have been bundled up, and scores of others have been ruthlessly baton-charged by police at various places. There are restrictions on the movement of traffic and people everywhere. The whereabouts of those who have been detained has not been divulged to their families. The exact number of the detentions is also unknown,” he said.
Sagar said the incident should not go unnoticed and the responsibility should be fixed and disciplinary action should be taken against erring cops. “I express unison with the injured and pray for their fast recuperation. Meantime, I impress upon the incumbent administration to remove ambiguity on allowing such processions.”
Meanwhile, Party MPs Muhammad Akbar Lone and Hassnain Masoodi have also condemned the police assault on the Muharram procession, and journalists documenting the Muharram Procession. The duo demanded disciplinary action against the erring cops.
