20 arrested for pro-Palestine protests

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 15: At least 20 persons including a separatist leader were arrested in connection with pro-Palestine protests amid Corona curfew here today.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that at least 20 persons were in Srinagar for pro-Palestine protests.
He said that the Police was keeping a very close watch on elements who are attempting to leverage the unfortunate situation in Palestine to disturb public peace and order in the Kashmir valley.
“We are a professional force and are sensitive to public anguish. But J&K police has a legal responsibility to ensure law and order as well. It, however, wouldn’t allow cynical encashment of the public anger to trigger violence, lawlessness and disorder on Kashmir streets,” he said, adding, “expressing opinion is a freedom but engineering and inciting violence on streets is unlawful”.
“All irresponsible social media comments that results in actual violence and breaking of law including COVID protocol will attract legal action”, he said and urged people to cooperate.
Two days after delivering Eid speech, religious preacher Sarjan Barkati was today arrested from his residence at Reban in Shopian district.
Sarjan was arrested by Zainapora Police from his residence this morning. He delivered his speech on Eid in his native village Reban on Thursday, for the first time after his release last year. He gave a brief speech in which he talked about the Palestine situation.
Barkati was released in the last week of October last year after remaining in custody for over four years.
Barkati who had become the face of the 2016 agitation after the killing of Hizb Commander Burhan Muzzafar Wani was arrested in October 2016.