Folly: Scores violate lockdown orders, pelt stones on police
Bandipora: Several policemen were injured after people pelted stones on them in Ganistan area of Sumbal Bandipora on Friday, police said.
Sources said 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 the 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 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 said.
Meanwhile, police issued a press release saying that around 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, it said.
Police used mild force to disperse the crowd. Some minor injuries/bruises reported, the statement added.
The situation is under control. Police has detained 16 violators from the spot. Necessary Legal action would follow. Police has registered case under relevant sections of law, the statement said.
Meanwhile, 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)
