Kashmir graffiti artist among seven anti-Israel protesters released
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Crackdown attracts flak from native artists, civil society members and political leaders
The crackdown on anti-Israel protesters in Kashmir drew flak from native artists, civil society members and political leaders on Sunday, forcing the police to launch seven youth, together with the 32-year-old graffiti artist who drew a sobbing Palestinian lady with a slogan “We are Palestine” in Srinagar on Friday.
“Out of 20 youth arrested on Saturday [for being a part of anti-Israel protests], seven youth, including the painter, have been released,” IGP Vijay Kumar instructed The Puucho.
Besides, 10 protesters, arrested earlier for indulging in stone throwing on the safety forces, have been additionally released after “they and their families were counselled by police officers”.
Around 21 individuals have been arrested previously two days for taking part in anti-Israel protests in Kashmir.
Mudasir Gul was arrested on Friday evening, hours after he drew the image. He is thought for his murals and work on buildings within the metropolis.
His arrest was criticised extensively in Kashmir. “People all over the world are protesting against the atrocities committed by Israel on Palestine. But in Kashmir it’s a punishable offence where an artist is booked and a preacher is arrested simply for expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Expressing solidarity with Palestine is no crime,” former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti stated in a tweet.
Many artists and members of the civil society teams additionally rallied behind Mr. Gul and had demanded his early launch.
The Hurriyat, headed by incarcerated Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, stated the artist and different youth have been “expressing their feelings and nowhere in the world is expressing solidarity with a subjugated people a crime”. “Such policies reflect the same mindset that is displayed by Israel to persecute the Palestinians,” Mirwaiz’s spokesman stated.
Held for elevating anti-India slogans: Police
The J&K police on Sunday stated it has arrested two sons of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chairman Ashraf Sehrai, who died in a Jammu jail on May 5, for elevating anti-India slogans through the funeral prayers of the separatist chief.
“The two sons of Sehrai have been arrested for raising anti-national slogans during the funeral of their father in Kupwara. They are not detained under the Public Safety Act,” a police spokesman stated.
The physique of Sehrai, 77, was handed over to the household solely after assurances that solely shut members of the family will attend the funeral, which was carried out round 4 a.m. on May 6 at his native village in Kupwara.
The detention nevertheless evoked criticism. Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone stated, “And why do you have to do that. Which society will condone your actions. They lost their father who died while being in government custody. What are you competing for — ferocity. Point taken. Yes you do come across as ferocious, cruel and ugly. Now can we have an end to this Rambo culture.”
Ms. Mufti additionally condemned the arrests.
Former Union Minister and Congress chief Saif-ud-Din Soz termed the arrests as ‘unfortunate’. “Some people are adamant to see Sehrai’s sons punished for the ideas of their father. This is an obnoxious trait in the character of those who want to fight Sehrai’s family after his demise. I reject this attitude with contempt,” Mr. Soz stated.
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