Scores of people violated lockdown orders, pelted stones on police when asked to disperse in North Kashmir

5 Dariya News

Bandipora 17-Apr-2020

Several policemen were injured after people pelted stones on them in Ganistan area of Sumbal Bandipora.Sources told KNT that scores of people defied lockdown orders and offered Friday congregational prayers at Ganistan mosque. As the news spread in the area, police parties from Sumbal Police Station and Nowgam Police Chowki along with the officials from Revenue Department rushed to spot. Witnesses said that people fled from the mosque after seeing police and government officials. Some people resorted to stone-pelting which left over 6 policemen injured. Pertinently, police and administration had already requested people to maintain social distancing to combat lethal Covid-19. Last Friday, there were no Friday congregation prayers in the area, but today a large number of people turned up and tried to offer prayers together in the mosque.SDPO Sumbal, Saqib Ghani confirmed to KNT that there were large number of people who defied the lockdown orders and pelted stones on police when they were asked to disperse. He said that six policemen suffered injuries. “We are trying to identify these miscreants and they will be booked,” SDPO told KNT.Meanwhile, police issued a press release saying that arround two hundred people had assembled at Jamia Masjid Ganstan to offer Friday Prayers. On reports of Friday gathering in Ganastan when Police party led by officers and magistrate reached the spot, stone-pelting took place.Police used mild force to disperse the crowd. Some minor injuries/bruises reported. Situation is under control. Police has detained 16 violators from the spot. Necessary Legal action would follow. Police has registered case uder relevant sections of law.Police have also requested Masjid Committee to cooperate with the police and civil administration and warned them of strict legal action for defying lockdown restrictions. (KNT)