Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir said Saturday that 21 people were arrested for disturbing public order by expressing solidarity with Palestinians and holding protests against Israel's military offensive against Hamas in Gaza.
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Police said in a statement they were keeping a "close watch on elements who are attempting to leverage the unfortunate situation in Palestine to disturb public peace and order" in Kashmir. The statement said police were "sensitive to public anguish" but wouldn't allow those sentiments to "trigger violence, lawlessness and disorder."
Kashmiris have long shown strong solidarity with Palestinians and have often staged anti-Israel protests when fighting broke out in Gaza.
Some of the arrested could be soon released after "counseling and assurances from their parents that they would desist from such acts in future," police inspector-general Vijay Kumar told reporters.
