Police in India-administered Kashmir have arrested three men for sending online threats to members of an all-girl rock band, officials said.
The three-member group Pragaash, meaning “morning light” in Kashmiri, quit singing earlier this week after receiving threats and criticism on social networking sites.
“Three arrests were made late Wednesday night including one from state capital Srinagar and two others from south and central Kashmir,” a police official said requesting anonymity.
A fatwa, or Islamic prohibition, was issued against the band’s performances Sunday by Bashiruddin Ahmad, the top Muslim cleric of the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, who said singing by women was un-Islamic.
Police were tracking the internet protocol addresses of 26 users whose comments were found to be abusive, including some threatening the girls with rape and murder.
The girls have received wide support from within the state and elsewhere in India as well as from a cross-section of political parties.
State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had promised action against the offenders, welcomed the arrests.
“The government worked swiftly to ensure that such people who spread hatred are brought to book,” Tanvir Sadiq, spokesman of the ruling National Conference party told broadcaster NDTV.
“The constitution gives you the right to speak but does not give you the right to intimidate anyone.”Authors: Imdad Saqi, Siddhartha Kumar
Three arrested for online threats to Kashmir girl band
Police in India-administered Kashmir have arrested three men for sending online threats to members of an all-girl rock band, officials said.
The three-member group Pragaash, meaning “morning light” in Kashmiri, quit singing earlier this week after receiving threats and criticism on social networking sites.
“Three arrests were made late Wednesday night including one from state capital Srinagar and two others from south and central Kashmir,” a police official said requesting anonymity.
A fatwa, or Islamic prohibition, was issued against the band’s performances Sunday by Bashiruddin Ahmad, the top Muslim cleric of the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, who said singing by women was un-Islamic.
Police were tracking the internet protocol addresses of 26 users whose comments were found to be abusive, including some threatening the girls with rape and murder.
The girls have received wide support from within the state and elsewhere in India as well as from a cross-section of political parties.
State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had promised action against the offenders, welcomed the arrests.
“The government worked swiftly to ensure that such people who spread hatred are brought to book,” Tanvir Sadiq, spokesman of the ruling National Conference party told broadcaster NDTV.
“The constitution gives you the right to speak but does not give you the right to intimidate anyone.”Authors: Imdad Saqi, Siddhartha Kumar
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