SRINAGAR: Following criticism from certain politicians, the Jammu and Kashmir Police defended on Tuesday, citing a “softer provision” of the anti-terror law, the booking under UAPA of seven university students who had yelled offensive slogans following the Indian cricket team’s World Cup match. A number of politicians have denounced the police action, claiming that the youths will be negatively impacted by such severe punishment. These politicians include Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief ministers of J&K. The lads have been charged under section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, or UAPA, according to a statement released by police on Tuesday. They also noted that “this provision of the Act is softer than other provisions.”The UAPA’s Section 13 prohibits encouraging or advising any illegal behaviour and carries a seven-year prison sentence. The Indian Penal Code’s Sections 505 and 506, which deal with criminal intimidation and public mischief, have also been applied against the students. If found guilty, these clauses carry a maximum five-year prison sentence. According to the police, the event involved more than just shouting pro-Pakistan slogans. “…these slogans, as has usually been the case with a select few bullies, were aired to intimidate those who disagreed and also to identify and vilify those who choose to keep a distance.” They claimed that terrorist and separatist networks were the cause of the incident. In support of the police action, the statement said that the teens’ goal was not to express personal preferences for a specific sports team, nor was it to advocate for dissent or freedom of speech. “The goal is to intimidate people who might be harbouring negative feelings towards Pakistan or India or who disagree.” This was supported by written complaints, according to the statement. According to the police, a written complaint served as the basis for the FIR, and sections were invoked in accordance with the complaint’s contents.
