Lockdown tightened in Srinagar over Muharram processions – Newspaper

SRINAGAR: The authorities reinforced a one-month security shutdown on Sunday in the main city of Srinagar in occupied Kashmir after breaking Shias processions that defied a ban.

A military repression was imposed in the disputed Himalayan region on August 5 to avoid unrest when New Delhi revoked its autonomy. On Sunday, mobile phone networks and the Internet remained interrupted in all the pockets of the city, except for some.

Police drove through the city from dawn, announcing through loudspeakers that "residents are informed not to leave their homes."

The police break the protests, hit the mourners with sticks

"Strict measures would be taken under the law against offenders," they added.

Shiites carry out processions and demonstrations throughout the world during Muharram. But most of these processions have been banned in Kashmir since the outbreak of an armed campaign against the New Delhi government in 1989, on the grounds that religious rites could be used to stoke anti-Indian sentiments.

The correspondents saw at least two small protests on Sunday morning, but Shiite protesters were quickly arrested and taken in police vehicles. Police were also seen beating the mourners with bamboo sticks.

Witnesses said they saw at least six other similar protests, and the police also arrested those participants.

The locals said that Muharram's processions have taken a political aspect this year after India's controversial decision to revoke the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir.

Occupied Kashmir has seen a decades-long armed campaign against the Indian government with tens of thousands, mostly civilians, killed.

On Saturday, four local journalists were injured while covering a protest involving up to 5,000 protesters, one of the most important meetings since the closure was imposed last month.

One journalist said his camera lens was broken and another had visible marks on his body after security personnel allegedly hit him with bamboo sticks.

Security forces also fired tear gas and real ammunition in the air.

In recent days, the authorities relaxed some restrictions on parts of Srinagar, but began to harden them again from Friday.

A journalist said Sunday’s crackdown was one of the strictest since August 5. While up to three paramilitary troops had been leading the barricades, there were now up to 10.

Tensions could increase further on Tuesday, which is Ashura.

While Shiites traditionally participate primarily in Muharram rituals, Sunnis said they would also take part in the processions on Tuesday to show solidarity with their fellow Muslims.

Posted in Dawn, September 9, 2019