Don't make 'provocative' speeches: Police to Kashmir Muslim preachers

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday asked Muslim preachers in the restive valley not to make "provocative speeches" after Friday prayers because these are being exploited by some "vested interests".

In a statement, the police also asked Kashmiri parents "not to allow their children to take part" in protest demonstrations in the valley.

"It has been observed for the last few Fridays that after the culmination of Friday prayers miscreants force the people to assemble (and) obstruct the normal traffic. Many times these gatherings are manipulated to pelt stones at the police and security force deployments," the statement said.

"Youth are advised not to fall prey to such machinations," the statement said, asking parents to rope in their kids.

"The imams and khateebs are also requested not to deliver provocative speeches so that the situation is not exploited by vested interests," the statement added.

The police advisory came as the Kashmir Valley has been battling the deadliest unrest in years since the July 8 killing of popular rebel commander Burhan Wani. At least 56 people have been killed and several thousand injured in the weeks of turmoil.

People have been relentlessly trying to come out on streets and hold pro-freedom demonstrations. These rallies turn violent when protestors throw stones at security forces. Police and paramilitary forces have been criticized for firing at stone-throwing protestors.

--IANS

sar/dg