Jammu & Kashmir: Cases have been registered against several youth in Kashmir under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). These youth are accused of participating in rallies held on February 28 to protest the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On Sunday, a delegation of MLAs from the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) met with Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and demanded the withdrawal of these cases before Eid.
Cases registered in several districts
According to NC leaders, FIRs have been registered against the youth under the UAPA and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in several police stations.
These include the Zadibal, Rainawari, Shalteng, Habba Kadal, and Lalbazar police stations in Srinagar. Additionally, cases have been registered in Chattargam and Budgam in the Budgam district, Pattan in the Baramulla district, and Sumbal in the Bandipora district.
In the Nowgam police station in Srinagar alone, 21 youths from Khanda, Sathu Kalan, and Chattargam have been charged under Section 13 of the UAPA and Sections 109, 190, 191(3), and 121(1) of the CrPC.
NC Calls Action Concerning
In a memorandum submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, NC MLAs Tanvir Sadiq, Ali Mohammad Dar, Shameema Firdous, Reyaz Bedar, and Hilal Akbar Lone said that imposing stringent laws like the UAPA on those involved in the condolence meetings is extremely concerning.
They demanded that no further arrests or punitive action be taken against those involved in these gatherings.
LG Assures Review of Cases
According to NC leaders, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha listened to their demands and assured them of a review of the cases.
NC leader Tanveer Sadiq said that several students are among the accused. He expressed hope that these cases can be reviewed before Eid and the youth can be provided relief.
Examples of other cities were also cited
The NC memorandum stated that after Khamenei’s death, large numbers of people in Kashmir demonstrated against the US and Israel.
The party also stated that condolence meetings for Khamenei were held in several cities, including Lucknow, Kargil, New Delhi, and Mumbai, but no legal action was taken against anyone there.
NC leaders say that taking such action only in Jammu and Kashmir raises questions about the principle of equal rights and equal protection under the law.