Govt to SC: Mosques, Social Media Used to Incite Kashmir Violence

The report by the MHA was the first official declaration of the violence and causalities in Kashmir after Wani.

People attend funeral procession of militant Burhan Wani at his village in Tral of Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama district on 9 July, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

The Ministry of Home Affairs submitted a report to the Supreme Court, probing the ongoing violence in the Kashmir valley in the aftermath of Burhan Wani’s death.

This report was submitted to a bench led by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur after it asked for a status report from the Centre on the ground realities and situations in the Valley. This report was the first declaration by the MHA of the violence and mass causalities in Kashmir after Wani’s death.

The loudspeakers of some local mosques were used to raise pro-freedom slogans and incite the youth to indulge in stone pelting/protests.

MHA, as reported by <i>The Indian Express</i>

The use of social media too remained one of the primary ways to fuel violence, according to the report, which on Friday was placed before a bench led by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Kashmir Scars of Pellet Guns)

The report also stated that 42 civilians had been killed in the violence, as the toll rises steadily while Kashmir reels under nearly a month of curfew. Two armed forces personnel were also killed, and over 2,650 people have been admitted to hospitals with injuries, while 470 of them had to undergo or are currently undergoing major surgeries.

The report further stated that nearly 300 people have suffered severe eye injuries after armed forces reportedly fired pellets. Of them, at least one-fourth have had to undergo major surgery to save their eyesight.

Inimical and anti-social elements exploited the news of Wani’s death on social media platforms to inflame passions and incite sentiments and some mosques were also used to incite the youth to come on the streets.

Ministry of Home Affairs, as reported by <i>The Indian Express</i>

Between 8 July and 3 August, 872 incidents were reported. Most of these took place on 9 July, the day after Wani’s death. Over 3,783 personnel of the armed forces were reportedly injured, and 28 government establishments were set on fire.

(Photo: PTI)

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar said that the condition in Kashmir was under control. Initially imposed in 10 districts, curfew is now only imposed in Srinagar, Anantnag and Pulwama. He said that medical facilities and essential commodities were being adequately supplied and the law-and-order situation seemed significantly improved.

The bench directed that a copy be given to senior advocate Bhim Singh, who was representing the PIL petitioner J&K Panthers Party in the matter.

Source: The Indian Express