J&K: Curfew Imposed in Old Srinagar, Bhaderwah, Army Called In for Flag March

A curfew was imposed in Bhaderwah after tensions arose due to an allegedly inflammatory speech from a mosque.

A curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah and Kishtwar on tensions arising due to social media post. (The image used is representational.)

(Photo: PTI)

A curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah on Thursday, 9 June, after tensions arose due to an allegedly inflammatory speech from a mosque. The army was thereafter called in to conduct a flag march.

A curfew was also imposed in downtown or Old Srinagar and Kishtwar districts as a precaution, the district administration said, as per reports.

Action under law has been taken and a case has been registered at Bhaderwah Police Station, said Police Media Centre, Jammu. The case was registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).

"Anyone who takes the law into their hands will not be spared," they added after a purported video allegedly made inciting remarks.

Internet Services Suspended in Various Regions

Internet services were suspended in Doda's Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and parts of Srinagar as a precaution. The measure was taken to stop rumour-mongers, officials said, as per PTI.

Deployment of security personnel at sensitive locations in various parts of Kashmir has been done in order to maintain peace and order.

Downtown Srinagar, the old city, is under a complete shutdown. The city square, Lal Chowk, and Batamaloo, however, saw transport on the roads. Some offices and schools also remained open, PTI reported.

No untoward activity had been detected in the Valley, officials added.

What Was the 'Inflammatory' Video?

Officials alleged that instigating speeches were made as a part of a protest against the recent derogatory remarks made by the former BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma against Prophet Muhammad.

Sharma was suspended by the ruling party, while Delhi unit’s media cell head Naveen Jindal was expelled for his derogatory tweet.

The purported video which went viral on social media was shot from a mosque in Bhaderwah, noted officials.

"Curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure in view of communal tension," an official said, as quoted by PTI.

Deployment of additional security personnel has been ensured to avoid violence, the official added.

Further, a case has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) at Police Station Bhaderwah.

'Deeply Disturbed by the Unpleasant Situation' in Bhaderwah: MoS

Minister of State for the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh stated that he was deeply upset about the situation in Bhaderwah.

"I appeal to the elders and the heads of the two communities to sit together to maintain the traditional harmony for which the beautiful town of Bhaderwah is known for," the BJP MP from Udhampur said on Twitter.

"I am in constant touch with DC Doda Sh Vikas Sharma and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sh Ramesh Kumar. DC Doda and SSP Doda are presently camping in Bhaderwah and personally monitoring the situation," he further assured.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)