Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 13: Police today arrested 12 persons for creating ruckus at Hazratbal during a much publicized international marathon in which over a dozen persons including six policemen were injured this morning.
The marathon in which around 10, 000 people participated started early in the morning at Kashmir University and was flagged off by Minister for Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation and Flood Control, Sukhnandan Kumar.
The marathon was organized by Big 92.7 FM in collaboration with Communication and Capacity Development Unit (CCDU) of Department of Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control in which besides locals, runners from countries like Kenya and Ethiopia also participated in the event.
A group of youth raised pro-Pakistan and waved Pakistani flag during the marathon near Kashmir University leading to commotion and ruckus after they threw missiles at Police.
At least six police personnel including SDPO Nageen were injured as the youth restored to vandalism by breaking the screens, cameras and furniture and podium of the organizers. Police fired tear smoke and resorted to cane-charging in which several protesters were injured.
A police officer said that they lodged three FIRs in the incidents, two in molestation of the girls who participated in the event and one in stone pelting in Police Station Nageen. He said that 12 people were rounded up and booked under these FIRs.
Reports said that the organizers had not done their ground work well and had given open invitation to the event in a sensitive place like Srinagar where every Friday trouble erupts in Srinagar city after prayers.
A Police spokesman said that a sporting event was organised today at Kashmir University which attracted a huge gathering mostly of youth. “Besides some international marathoners a large number of locals also participated, he added.”
The race was flagged off as scheduled and the function was going on smoothly till some miscreants within the crowd started passing obscene and lewd comments at girl participants and those in the audience. The incidents of passing remarks were also witnessed at Habbak crossing. Instances of molestation of girls by rowdy elements were reported at the Kashmir University and enroute.
FIRs have been registered into the incidents of molestation and eve teasing at Police Station Nigeen and 12 miscreants involved in molestation and eve teasing have been arrested so far.
The aim of marathon was to raise awareness on various social issues including importance of following road traffic regulation, conservation of water, keeping environment clean and respecting elders.
The participants who started their run from the KU’s Sir Syed Gate were supposed to run up to Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and to return back to the same starting point in the university.
Besides, the PHE Minister, those who attended the inaugural function included Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, Secretary PHE Parvez Ahmed Malik, Secretary Tourism Farooq Shah, Inspector General Traffic J P Singh, Executive Director CCDU, Rajiv Malhotra, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Javid Jaffar, Director School Education, Kashmir, Shah Faisal and Principal Women’s College.
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