The police, however, said the mourners violated prohibitory orders that restrict all religious procession to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Shotgun pellets and tear gas were used by the government forces to disperse hundreds of mainly Shia Muslims participating in a Muharram procession in Kashmir, injuring over dozens, Al Jazeera reported.
The violence occurred in the Muslim majority state of India on the 10th day of Muharram month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
The procession started in the Bemina area on the outskirts of the main city of Srinagar and that government forces were present in heavy numbers, Jafar Ali, a witness, told AFP news agency.
Ali and other people, who witnessed the violence, said security forces fired pellets and tear gas to break up the gathering. The police, however, said the mourners violated prohibitory orders that restrict all religious congregation to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“The forces fired pellets at the procession that was mainly peaceful and included women,” Iqbal Ahmed, another witness said.
As per witnesses, around 40 people were injured during this incident. The Associated Press was told by medical workers at a hospital in Srinagar that they treated at least 30 people, some of them with pellet and tear gas injuries.
“The procession was not just peaceful but was also following health protocols,” Sajjad Hussain, a witness said.
“They [government forces] unleashed such violence and did not spare even women mourners,” he added.
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