Budgam continues to remain tense

Don't fall prey to divisive forces: Aga Hassan, Shabir Shah appeal to people

SYED ALI SAFVI

BUDGAM, Dec 17: Curfew continued to remain in force for second consecutive day in parts of Budgam district, disrupting normal life in the areas, even as fears of sectarian strife mounted in the curfew bound villages.
Police and para-military troops are heavily deployed along Mirgund-Nasrullahpora-Chandipora road, restricting public movement in the area. The forces are also deployed at Dahpora, Nasrullahpora, Tekipora, Mirgund, Qadipora, Pymus, and Pathanpora villages.
A strong contingent of police has been deployed at Tekipora, Mirgund, just one and a half km away from the offices of DDC and SSP. The 200-strong police contingent have almost blocked the main road and are preventing even the pedestrians to move beyond Mirgund crossing.
According to sources, police today stopped senior separatist leader and Democratic Freedom Party president, Shabir Ahmad Shah, at Mirgund crossing and did not allow him to proceed to Nasrullahpora.
However, another senior separatist leader, Aga Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, who is also a senior Shia cleric and heads Anjuman-e Sharie Shian - a Shia religious body - was allowed to go to Dahpora to lead the funeral prayer for a 16-year-old girl who died of cardiac arrest late last night.
The sources also said that the police had partially lifted the restriction yesterday evening, but some of the houses in Dahpora were attacked allegedly by residents of nearby villages following which the curfew was re-imposed in the areas.
Talking to Kashmir Times, SSP Budgam, Uttam Chand, said that situation has been brought under control.
“Situation is normal now. We had a meeting with senior citizens of the areas yesterday and they have cooperated with us,” he said.
Asked why the restrictions have not been lifted, he said, “Restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure. There are elements which will try to create trouble that's why we have asked our men to remain stationed there. The situation is under control.”
Pertinently, authorities had imposed curfew in several villages of Budgam district Thursday evening following violent protests by villagers against a pornographic MMS clip, showing a local youth in a compromising position with a girl inside his truck.
The residents of Nasrullahpora village had marched towards nearby hamlet of Dahpora and pelted stones and ransacked the house of the main accused involved in the clip. The protestors, according o eyewitnesses, torched the tipper of the accused and set ablaze the clothes of his family members and looted the belongings.
Meanwhile, Aga Syed Hassan and Shabir Ahmad Shah have appealed people not to fall prey to the campaign by divisive forces.
In a press statement issued here, Shah alleged that deliberate attempts were being made to discredit the age old Shia-Sunni brotherhood and harmony and to create a wedge between the two communities.
He said attempts to destabilize Shia-Sunni harmony were made even in the past also.
“Only the individuals involved in the act should be held responsible and punished and it should have nothing to do with the community,” Shah said.