COVID-19 Lockdown: Protests erupt in Rahmoo Pulwama

PULWAMA — Massive protests and consequent clashes erupted in Rahmoo area in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday afternoon, reports said.

As per reports, scores of people took to streets and staged a protest in Rahmoo village for not allowing them to offer prayers.

Locals said that when the sale of liquor was allowed in outside States, why were they not being allowed to discharge their religious obligation to offer prayers in mosques.

The police and CRPF deployment tried to disperse them by firing tear gas canisters. The protesters hurled stones at the deployments, triggering clashes. The police and CRPF men also resorted to pellet firing to disperse the protesters.

There were also reports about injuries to some protestors. However, more details are awaited about the same.

Meanwhile, some people also hurled stones at the vehicles of CRPF near Murran while they were heading towards Rahmoo.

Police Version

Refuting the claims that the protests at Rahmoo, Pulwama were against barring Friday prayers in mosques, police said that shopkeepers in the area had opened shops despite the area being declared as a “Red Zone.”

SSP Pulwama said that the concerned Tehsildar had gone to the area and asked shopkeepers to down the shutters, prompting protests. He said since the area was a “Red Zone”, therefore people have been advised to exercise caution.

“It wasn’t about prayers. It’s about saving our community. Shops were open which Tehsildar asked them to close as Rahmoo is a Red Zone,” SSP said.