Mass participation in funerals becomes challenge to India

Srinagar, January 04, 2016 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the Indian police have decided to do away with the practice of handing over bodies of Mujahideen, martyred by Indian troops in siege and search operations to locals for burial, citing massive participation of people in their funerals and eruption of pro-freedom protests. A senior police officer told media that the huge participation of people in the funeral of Mujahid Abu Qasim in 2015 became a major concern for the Indian agencies in the Valley.

“This trend of mass participation of people in funerals of militants was visible during the peak of militancy in Kashmir. When a militant would die in the Valley in early 90s, his colleagues would give him a salute by firing some gunshots in the air as was seen during Qasim’s funeral,” he added.

“The issue was discussed at the highest level and a consensus was evolved that the bodies of militants will not be handed over to people all the time, mainly to avoid protests and clashes, and also to avoid participation of people in huge numbers in their funerals”, he said.

After Qasim’s funeral, police registered cases against 60 youth of Shopian district. An Imam, who led Qasim’s funeral prayers, was booked under the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA). Pertinently, General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based army’s 15-Corps, Lt General Satish Dua, recently admitted that the participation of people in militants’ funeral was a concern.

The Indian Home Ministry had also expressed its resentment over huge participation of people in funerals and asked the agencies in Kashmir to ensure such things are not repeated. Observers believe it’s not new in the Valley for people to join funeral prayers of militants.

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