J&K Police file two UAPA cases for ‘celebrating’ Pakistan’s win in World Cup

The cases were filed after a few videos on social media claimed that people in Kashmir celebrated Pakistan’s win and also raised slogans after the match.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered two cases against unknown persons under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly celebrating Pakistan’s victory over India in the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday, officials familiar with the developments said.

The officials cited above said the FIRs under UAPA and Indian Penal Code were filed at Soura and Karan Nagar police stations in Srinagar on Monday. (AFP)

The cases were filed after a few videos on social media claimed that people in Kashmir celebrated Pakistan’s win and also raised slogans after the match. Two celebratory videos, allegedly of MBBS students in two medical institutions in Srinagar, also went viral across social media platforms.

HT could not confirm the authenticity of the videos.

The officials cited above said the FIRs under UAPA and Indian Penal Code were filed at Soura and Karan Nagar police stations in Srinagar on Monday. “Yes, an FIR under UAPA has been registered after there were purported celebrations and slogans following a cricket match. But the case is not specific to videos on social media,” said an official.

“HMs (home minister’s) Mann ki Baat with Kashmiri youth started with slapping UAPA against medical students for celebrating Pakistan’s win. Instead of trying to ascertain why educated youth choose to identify with Pakistan, GOI resorting to vindictive actions. Such steps will alienate them further,” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tweeted. Mufti’s tweet was in reference to home minister Amit Shah’s remarks that the Centre would rather talk to Kashmir’s youth than Pakistan, as suggested by National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah.