Srinagar: A total of 13 persons allegedly involved in anti-national sloganeering inside the Jamia Masjid during Friday prayers in Srinagar have been arrested, police said on Saturday.

A case in this regard was registered in Nowhatta PS under sections 124A and 447 of IPC

A large gathering of around 24,000 – among the largest in recent history – attended the prayers, a police statement said.

“After culmination of the prayers, about a dozen persons started anti-national and provocative sloganeering for while… this was joined by a couple of others as well, while most of the gathering remained aloof.

“There was also altercation between the persons indulging in sloganeering and the volunteers of intezamia committee of Jamia masjid who tried to stop such sloganeering and hooliganism.

“This created a situation of ruckus inside the mosque leading to clashes between them,” the statement said.

“Later the hooligans were dispersed outside the mosque by volunteers. Even after coming outside from one gate, more than a dozen among them tried to provoke others by sloganeering which failed and in 2-3 minutes they dispersed in hurry seeing police presence around,” the Srinagar police informed.

A case in this regard was registered in Nowhatta PS under sections 124A and 447 of IPC.

During the course of the investigation, raids were conducted at different locations which led to the arrest of two main instigators of the sloganeering, who were identified as Basharat Nabi Bhat from Hawal, Nowhatta and Umar Manzoor Sheikh from Bahuddin Saab, Nowhatta. Both were apprehended and formally arrested in the case.

Eleven more accused were subsequently arrested in this case who were involved in the sloganeering and hooliganism inside the Jamia masjid and at the gate.

Many more suspected persons are being examined and will be formally arrested as soon as their role clearly comes forth in this case. PSA dossiers of all these accused are being prepared for booking them under PSA act as well, the police said.

It also revealed during the initial investigation that the accused in furtherance of a “well-planned conspiracy had received instructions from Pakistani handlers of terror outfits” to disrupt Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid and create a law and order situation by provoking the attendees. Section 120B has also been invoked in this case, the J&K police added.

The Srinagar Police said an investigation in the case is underway and some more arrests are likely.

“Srinagar Police informs all citizens that any attempt at disrupting peace will be viewed very seriously, strictest action under provisions of law will be taken against all those who get involved in such illegal activities. In addition to this, no attempt at using religious places for furthering anti-national and terrorist agenda will be tolerated at all,” the police added.