Kupwara Imam charged for inciting violence

Srinagar: A former revenue official who led prayers on a road and objected to the alleged highhandedness of forces was arrested twice in last ten days in frontier Kupwara district of North Kashmir. Family sources said that 70-year-old Ghulam Mohiuddin Peer, son of Haji Abdul Khaliq of Kharbaag village of the frontier district was arrested during a nocturnal raid on September 18 for his alleged role in fomenting trouble in the area. A former Naib-Tehsildar, Peer was booked under sections 148 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 336 (doing any act that endangers human life or the personal safety of others) 436 (arson and prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act) 353 Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty. He was lodged at district Jail Kupwara. Five days after his arrest, peer was bailed out by a local court.
However, as soon as he stepped outside the police station, he was rearrested and fresh cases were slapped against him. Family, however plead the innocence of Peer and term charges against him ‘fabricated’ and ‘fictitious’. Unfolding the events leading to her husband’s arrest, Amina Begum said that on September 14, a sumo vehicle carrying a pregnant woman passed through the village where Special Operations Group (SOG) of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had enforced tough restrictions to prevent protests following the killing of 18 people in forces action across the Valley. “The SOG and CRPF men intercepted the sumo and thrashed the male inmates. They also misbehaved with the pregnant woman. My husband and some locals tried to intervene and ensure the safety of the patient. However, forces burst teargas shells and fired in air to disperse them,” she added. Next day, Amina said her husband who is also Imam of Jamia Masjid
offered prayers on road seeking peace and prosperity for the people.After the prayers, she said people went to their houses peacefully.“On the night of September 18, a contingent of troops and SOG stormed the village. They broke window panes of our houses and ransacked the house hold goods. After vandalizing property, they bundled my husband, son and a guest in a police van,” she said. “My husband is innocent. He was never associated with any pro-freedom party. He is being punished for raising voice against atrocities,” she added. Fatima said that the police raid forced her to take refuge in a relative’s house in the neighboring village. “The forces terrified us. I was deeply worried about the safety of my daughters. I locked down the house to stay with my relatives,” she said. “The local court granted bail to my husband. However, my husband was again arrested outside the police station and fresh cases were filed against him,” she added. When contacted, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Headquarters, Dawood Ahmad said that the Station House Officer (SHO) will comment on the charges filed against the former revenue official. “I have assumed charge of the police station yesterday. I have no information about the case, as of now” Station House Officer (SHO) Kupwara, S D Parray said.