Stopping crowd from attending militant’s funeral is disturbing: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Jan 14: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said that stopping the crowd to participate in the funeral prayer of a local militant was disturbing.

Mufti was commenting on the reports of people being stopped from attending the funeral procession of top militant commander Zeenat ul Islam in Sugan area of Shopian district of South Kashmir.

Taking to social media site Twitter, she said that such interference in religious affairs may backfire leading to further anger. “Reports of aerial firing at Sugan Shopian to stop the crowd from participating in the funeral prayers of a local militant, are very unfortunate and disturbing,” she wrote.

Clashes erupted during the funeral procession, which were responded by the government forces with opening fire, pellets and shells. At least six people are confirmed injured and there were reports of more.

“Such interference in the religious affairs is undesirable and may backfire leading to further anger and alienation,” added Mufti.

Yesterday during the gunfight, Mufti had said that she can only hope it doesn’t set off a cycle of protests followed by civilian killings. “Precisely why I was adamant on extension of the ceasefire initiative by GoI,” she had said.

Thousands gathered on Sunday at the native village of Zeenat-ul Islam, a commander of Al Badr outfit, who was killed in an encounter with the government forces on Saturday evening in Yaripora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, along with his associate.