Police register open FIR : Eidgah Protests

Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered an open FIR of Sedition against unidentified persons for staging violent protests after congregational Eid prayers at Eidgah area in Shaher-e-Khaas on Saturday.

“We have registered an open FIR vide no 115 (sedition) under section 13 Unlawful Activities,” officials at police station Safakadal. However, they maintained that, “this is open FIR and nobody has been arrested so far. After arrest, the accused will be booked on sedition charges,” they said.

The officials said video footage of the protests is being closely scrutinized. “We will soon arrest the accused.

Besides entering into clashes with forces, the protesters hoisted Pakistani flags and chanted pro-Pakistan slogans. We used teargas to disperse the protesters who retaliated with stones, sparking violent clashes during which dozens of persons, including security personnel, were injured,” they said.

However, locals alleged that police lobbed dozens of tear smoke canisters at Eidgah area to disperse protesters. “They lobbed tear smoke shells without any provocation. Later police parties barged into scores of residential houses— thrashing the inmates, ransacking household goods and damaged dozens of private vehicles,” a group of locals alleged.

Pertinently, after Eid prayers, protests had also erupted in Nowhatta area of Shaher-e-Khaas. “Groups of youth chanting pro-Pakistan, pro-freedom and anti-India slogans appeared outside the historic Jamia Masjid and waved Pakistani flags and clashed with forces. We are investigating the matter and law will take its own course,” police officials said.