Armed forces in Kashmir are looking to check the size of gatherings at militant funerals to choke their potential as recruiting grounds, reported the Print.
Quoting sources, the report said that the ’emotionally-charged gatherings have become a hotbed for terror recruitment.’
The report further added that efforts are being made to increase the deployment of armed forces in and around the area where a slain militant belongs, and ensure that proper blockades are set up to check the size of the gathering.
Recently, restrictions were placed to prevent people from participating in the funeral of Al-Badr militant Zeenat-ul-Islam. However, clashes erupted in which 11 civilians were injured.
Eyewitnesses told Free Press Kashmir that the forces had sealed all roads leading to Sugan village to limit the number of people participating in the funeral of Islam.
However, mourners continued to reach the village after making their way through bylines, and crossing checkpoints though orchards and agricultural fields.
Islam was killed in a gunfight with armed forces in Katpora village of Yaripora in Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti had said that stopping the crowd to participate in the funeral prayer of a local militant was an interference in the religious affairs that would lead to further anger and alienation.
Calling the use of force on mourners during the funeral procession of Zeenat as “un-Islamic and undemocratic”, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had said the ‘forces action’ was ‘contrary to the human values.’
