Daily Times

Indian forces on Saturday arrested dozens of mourners during Muharram processions in the occupied valley of Kashmir and imposed strict restrictions in the territory, the Kashmir Media Service reported.

The occupying authorities tightened restrictions in Srinagar, Badgam, Baramulla and other areas to stop people from taking out Muharram processions. Lal Chowk, the valley’s commercial centre, and adjoining areas of Srinagar were completely sealed. Troops and police personnel were deployed across the occupied territory, who blocked main roads by putting up barricades. However, defying restrictions, people tried to take out Muharram processions in Srinagar and other areas, with mourners holding banners reading slogans like ‘Free Kashmir’. The police arrested dozens of mourners from various places.

Hurriyat leaders denounced the use of brute force on Muharram processions in Srinagar, Badgam and other parts of the Kashmir Valley. They termed the imposition of restrictions by the authorities as an interference in the religious affairs of Muslims.

Meanwhile, in the occupied valley, the Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred three more Kashmiri youth, raising the number of the slain youth to seven. The troops martyred three youth during a cordon and search operation in Zadoora area of Pulwama district in South Kashmir in the wee hours on Saturday. The operation continued till last reports came in.

The Indian troops had martyred four youth during a similar operation in Kiloora area of Shopian district of South Kashmir on Friday.

Pakistan has strongly condemned extra-judicial killing of four more Kashmiris in staged encounter in the Shopian region. Equally condemnable are the restrictions imposed on religious processions and gatherings during Muharram, it said, adding that the international community must hold India accountable for its serious crimes against the Kashmiri people. “India must be made to comply with its international legal obligations and respect fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, including the foremost right to life. It is also the collective responsibility of the world community, including the United Nations, to work for peaceful and permanent resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant Security Council Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people for durable peace and stability in South Asia,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said. “Pakistan will continue to expose India for its illegal and unacceptable actions in IIOJK and extend its full support to the Kashmiris in their just struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination,” it maintained.