Police on Tuesday lathicharged and thrashed a group of journalists covering a Muharram procession here, evoking criticism from various quarters.
Police also detained a few Shia mourners at Jehangir Chowk in the city as they tried to take out a procession to mark the eighth day of the 10-day Muharram mourning period.
The traditional Muharram procession used to pass through the areas of Abi Guzar, Lal Chowk and Dalgate areas, but has been banned since the eruption of militancy in 1990 as authorities maintain that the religious gathering has been used for propagating separatist politics.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said police respects the religious sentiments of the public, but at the same time, it is their joint responsibility to defeat the ill designs of vested interests who try to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
A Kashmiri Shiite Muslim mourner resists as he is detained by police while trying to participate in a Muharram procession ahead of Ashura in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on August 17, 2021. | Photo by Sajad Hameed
Kashmiri Shiite mourners shout religious slogans during a Muharram procession in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on August 17, 2021. | Photo by Sajad Hameed
Kashmiri Shiite mourners display flag and shout religious slogans while trying to take part in a Muharram procession in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on August 17, 2021. | Photo by Sajad Hameed
Police forces detain Kashmiri Shiite mourners as they shout religious slogans while trying to take part in a Muharram procession in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on August 17, 2021. | Photo by Sajad Hameed
Kashmiri Shiite mourners remove the concertina razor wire put up by Indian government forces during a Muharram procession in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on August 17, 2021. | Photo by Sajad Hameed
A Kashmiri Shiite Muslim mourner reacts as he is detained by police while trying to participate in a Muharram procession ahead of Ashura in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on August 17, 2021. | Photo by Sajad Hameed
Police forces detain Kashmiri Shiite mourners shouting religious slogans as they try to take part in a Muharram procession in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on August 17, 2021. | Photo by Sajad Hameed
