Quds Day

Jumatulvida-at-Jamia-Masjid-Srinagar-on-25-July-2014Thousands of people marched on streets across Kashmir valley on International Quds Day, commemorated on the last Friday of Ramadan throughout the Muslim world to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and to protest its military occupation by Israel.

Reports said that after Friday prayers, hundreds of youth took to streets and raised anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian slogans in various parts of Kashmir including the summer capital city of Srinagar. Though remaining largely peaceful, emotions ran high during the demonstrations amid the scorching heat, to express solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are being continuously bombarded by Israeli air strikes since last three weeks.  More than 800 people, mostly civilians have been killed in recent Israeli aggression of Gaza strip.

Youth also took to streets in various areas of Srinagar’s old city including Nowhatta, Abi Guzar and Maisuma against the continuous bombardment of Gaza and killing of civilians by Israeli airstrikes. They raised slogans against the state of Israel and the silence of world powers, including Muslim countries.

International Quds Day or Youm E Quds commemorated on last Friday of the lunar fasting month of Ramadan was designated by Iranian Supreme Leader and Revolutionary, Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, in 1979, during which Muslims across the world hold rallies in solidarity with Palestinians.

Police used teargas shelling and resorted to baton charge in Hassanabad area of Srinagar on a Quds procession. Police used force to quell the protestors when they weren’t allowed to move forward to other areas of the city.

Arresting  Sentiment!

As ‘Save Gaza’ protests calmed down in Kashmir, the police and its intelligence units have started ‘identifying’ and arresting youth particularly in Old City. As the reports speak, at least 50 youth have been put behind the bars for protesting against the Gaza carnage. Kashmir saw unprecedented protests again the Gaza carnage at the hands of Israel. Latest reports say that over 800 hundred civilians have been killed by Israeli troops’ action in Gaza strip.

The police and Para military troops were taken aback when they saw huge processions taken out in and around Srinagar. The recent upsurge put state in tizzy with authorities reviewing the security situation in the state. The police had to use tear gas shelling and even live ammunition in which a youth lost his life and around a dozen got injured in South Kashmir only. The police have said that they have been given strict directions from the top to take all possible steps to ensure that stone pelting is curbed. Interestingly, in old city, a group of youth had surrounded a SPO who was later beaten to pulp. He was travelling on a motor cycle and got stuck among the stone pelters. The police later said that it identified the “trouble mongers” and will arrest them.

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