Dozens of protesters were taken into preventive custody in Kashmir as protests were held in Shia-populated pockets of capital Srinagar and neighbouring Budgam district against the execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia.
Kashmir is predominantly populated by Muslims belonging to Sunni sect but a miniscule population of Shias live in pockets of Srinagar and Budgam districts.
The Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al Nimr, was executed by the Saudi authorities among 47 others on Saturday. Nimr belonged to Qatif province of Saudi kingdom and was vocal against royal family rule. He was executed on charges of sponsoring terrorism.
Members of Shia community held protests in lal Chowk, Zadibal, Rainawari and Saidakdal localities in the city. The protesters were chanting slogans against the Saudi regime. There were reports of minor clashes in Zadibal and Rainawari localities. Police resorted to teargas shelling and detained several protesters.
Ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Minister for Youth Services and Sports Imran Ansari has condemned the execution of Sheikh Nimr and described the Saudi regime as “exporter, supporter and financer of terrorism in world”.
A complete shutdown was observed in the central district of Budgam where a sizeable population of Shia Muslims reside. All the shops, business establishments in the district remained closed while traffic was scarce on roads.
Reports of protests also poured from Kargil district of ladakh region. The clerics in the cold desert region have declared three-day-mourning in the area against the execution.