JOIN USCurfew in old Srinagar after clashes
Authorities imposed indefinite curfew in several areas of Srinagar city on Tuesday after clashes broke out between two sects of the Muslim community over an alleged religious inscription on a foreign product that hurt religious sentiments.
An official spokesman said Srinagar district magistrate had imposed curfew in the police station areas of Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Safakadal, Khanyar, Ranawari, Nigeen, Lalbazar, Zadibal and Parimpora with immediate effect, till further orders.
Reports said police have detained at least 30 people in Nowhatta and other areas of the old city who were allegedly involved in the clashes. Groups of Shias and Sunnis started pelting stones at each other in various localities in the afternoon after which police used batons to disperse them and imposed strict curfew.
Police said the administration was monitoring the situation. “There are no reports of anybody getting injured. However, sporadic incidents of stone pelting have been reported.
Some detentions were made in Nowhatta area,” a police spokesperson said.
He said the police was in touch with the respectables in the area.
Meanwhile, moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while condemning the shoe manufacturer for hurting the religious sensibilities of Muslims around the world, termed the anger and outrage of the people over the desecration as justified. “However, keeping in view the ongoing situation in Kashmir, people should maintain mutual bonhomie and unity among themselves to defeat the enemies of Islam and elements who want to destroy the unity of Kashmiris,” he said.
Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani while lashing at the American company for inscribing a `religious inscription' on its shoes appealed to the people that they should adhere to their best and moral behaviour during the protest and expression of anger.He said this would carry a message to the miscreants that they cannot take Muslims for granted. The best way was to adopt the civilised principles of Islam.