Quran Desecration Infuriates Kashmiris
In a new crackdown on Kashmiri Muslims, dozens were injured or arrested when Indian troops and police used extensive violence to quell the demonstrations against the desecration of the noble Qur’an.
“Police have launched a crackdown against youth and is hell-bent to tarnish the career and with the arrest their future becomes skeptical,” Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, said on Sunday, August 18.
“Civilized society every person has right to express opinion and no positive response and results can be expected while denying this or while resorting to suppressive measures by state authorities,” he added.
Angry protests erupted after Indian troops and police forces stormed houses of Muslim activists in Kashmir including Abdul Salam Naikoo, Abdur Rasheed Mir, Mohammad Yaqoob and others.
According to eyewitnesses, the troops ransacked household goods and smashed windowpanes of the houses.
One police officer has also tore pages of the Holy Qur’an infuriating Muslims who rushed outside their house to report the desecration to the locals.
As the news of the incident spread, massive protests had erupted in Shopian which was met by brutal crackdown from police forces, Geelani said.
Several people were injured in the subsequent use of force by the police on the protesters.
“In Shopian police ransacked residential houses and as public reported, a tear gas shell exploded in the house of Abdul Rasheed and caused a heavy damage to belongings and the religious literature,” he said.
“Local residents stated that though police was responsible for all this. However, instead of apologizing for their wrongdoings in contrast, police started a fresh arrest drive against youth and in retribution implicating sons of Abdul Ahad Para in fake and fabricated cases.
“Police action has caused concern in Shopian town and civilians in the area are lamenting police for their highhandedness,” he added, expressing his concern over the series of arrests in Baramulla.
The Muslim leader urged police forces to respect Muslim believes and be more understanding to their reactions.
“When birth rights of people are violated, the reaction in one form or the other is nothing new and is expected and Delhi and their local agencies should understand that policy of coercion cannot make people to surrender or compel to call off their struggle,” Geelani, the Hurriyat (G) chairman, said.
Geelani reiterated his demand and stressed for immediate release of arrested youth, adding that Kashmir being a political issue and instead of using the force needs political measures for its peaceful solution.
Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.
Pakistan and the UN back the right of the Kashmir people for self-determination, an option opposed by New Delhi.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Source: Kashmiri Headlines
“Civilized society every person has right to express opinion and no positive response and results can be expected while denying this or while resorting to suppressive measures by state authorities,” he added.
Angry protests erupted after Indian troops and police forces stormed houses of Muslim activists in Kashmir including Abdul Salam Naikoo, Abdur Rasheed Mir, Mohammad Yaqoob and others.
According to eyewitnesses, the troops ransacked household goods and smashed windowpanes of the houses.
One police officer has also tore pages of the Holy Qur’an infuriating Muslims who rushed outside their house to report the desecration to the locals.
As the news of the incident spread, massive protests had erupted in Shopian which was met by brutal crackdown from police forces, Geelani said.
Several people were injured in the subsequent use of force by the police on the protesters.
“In Shopian police ransacked residential houses and as public reported, a tear gas shell exploded in the house of Abdul Rasheed and caused a heavy damage to belongings and the religious literature,” he said.
“Local residents stated that though police was responsible for all this. However, instead of apologizing for their wrongdoings in contrast, police started a fresh arrest drive against youth and in retribution implicating sons of Abdul Ahad Para in fake and fabricated cases.
“Police action has caused concern in Shopian town and civilians in the area are lamenting police for their highhandedness,” he added, expressing his concern over the series of arrests in Baramulla.
The Muslim leader urged police forces to respect Muslim believes and be more understanding to their reactions.
“When birth rights of people are violated, the reaction in one form or the other is nothing new and is expected and Delhi and their local agencies should understand that policy of coercion cannot make people to surrender or compel to call off their struggle,” Geelani, the Hurriyat (G) chairman, said.
Geelani reiterated his demand and stressed for immediate release of arrested youth, adding that Kashmir being a political issue and instead of using the force needs political measures for its peaceful solution.
Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.
Pakistan and the UN back the right of the Kashmir people for self-determination, an option opposed by New Delhi.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Source: Kashmiri Headlines
