Police stop Kashmir Muharram processions, dozens hurt

Dozens of Kashmiri mourners were injured on Friday when police used batons and tear gas to break up several processions by hundreds of Shi’ite Muslims in Srinagar, officials said.

During the first Muslim month of Muharram, Shi’ites across the world mourn the death of the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Imam Hussein in the Iraqi city of Kerbala in the year 680.

But in Kashmir, Muharram processions and separatists gatherings have been banned since an insurgency broke out in 1989.

“More than a dozen people were also detained,” police officer Ali Mohammad said.
Friday’s procession in Srinagar was headed by members of Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen Jammu Kashmir, part of the region’s main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference.

Mourners clashed with police in several parts of Srinagar after the procession was stopped by firing tear gas shells, witnesses said.

The mourners were beating their chests with their fists, and chanted “La ilaha illalah” (There is no god but Allah).

“We strongly condemn the police brutality,” said Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, a leading priest and chief of Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen.

Ansari was detained by police in Srinagar.

(Free Press Kashmir)