Srinagar, June 26, 2023 (PPI-OT): Complete shutdown was observed in Zadoora, Pulwama, for the third consecutive day, today, against the infamous tragedy, which took place in the village, when Indian army soldiers in blatant breach of the sanctity of religious places, barged into Zadoora Jamia Masjid and forced the worshipers to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan over the loudspeakers of grand masjid. Soldiers associated with the Indian Army’s 50 Rashtriya Rifles arrived in Zadoora on the intervening night of June 23 and June 24. Led by an officer, the soldiers conducted raids in the area as if they were looking for some targets. During the ‘operation’, the soldiers detained at least 10 teenagers and subjected many to inhuman torture. The villagers were kept awake till the break of dawn. At the crack of dawn, a local muazzin went inside the village grand mosque to issue the call for prayers (azaan).

As per eyewitness account, the Indian soldiers followed the muazzin. In the middle of the azaan, the soldiers forced him to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans over loudspeaker. In the meantime, the soldiers forced the detained youngsters to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in chorus behind the muazzin. Local said the army also vandalised Jamia Masjid Zadoora, the largest mosque in this south Kashmir village.

As the news of the assault spread in the ensuing morning, agitated villagers came out of their homes and started shouting slogans against India and its army. The protesters urged the international community to designate India a terrorist state for breaching the sanctity of religious places. Since the the sacrilegious act took place on Saturday, locals continue to stage their protest. They keep shops close and vehicles are largely off the roads in Zadoora village.

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