Police in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) launched an investigation under a stringent terror law against the students of two well-known medical colleges in the region who have allegedly cheered Pakistan’s victory against India in the recent T20 WC match.
Videos of the students, gathered in two hostels, cheering “Long live Pakistan” went viral on social media on the night of Sunday 24th October, after Pakistan’s glorious win against India. The students belong to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and the Government Medical College, both of which are located in the main city of Srinagar.
The footages also showed masses in the city and several other towns cheering on the streets and setting off firecrackers in support of Pakistan.
After the videos took to social media, the Police, on Tuesday, launched two investigations under the Unlawful Prevention Activities Act (UAPA) which allows people to be held for six months without being charged and bail is virtually impossible. A raid was also conducted on one of the two hostels but no one was captured.
“The videos are being closely scrutinized to identify cheerleaders who raised pro-Pakistan and anti-Indian slogans at the end of the match and indulged in anti-national activities,” A police officer told the press.
Mehbooba Mufti’s Response to Police action:
Slamming the police action, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a tweet:
“Instead of trying to ascertain why educated youth choose to identify with Pakistan, GOI (government of India) resorting to vindictive actions. Such steps will alienate them further.”
Kashmiris Assaulted for Celebrating Pakistan’s Win:
Following episodes of assault against Kashmiri people and Muslims of India were recorded for celebrating Pakistan’s win:
- Indian Muslim player Mohammed Shami faced a dogmatic attack on social media and was accused of match fixing.
- Several students from Kashmir were assaulted by other Indian students at an engineering college in Punjab.
- An Indian school teacher was dismissed she posted a picture of Pakistani players with a caption in Hindi saying “we won” as celebratory WhatsApp status after the match victory.
“Why is loyalty to the Indian cricket team being demanded from us? Is it a crime to cheer the victory of your favorite side? Many of us are petrified for being charged under terrorism laws or even being arrested or dismissed from college,” a medical student said to the press.