Mumbai Police searched activist’s home after Palestine kite event, alleges group

The Mumbai Police on Friday allegedly searched the home of an activist who participated in an event to fly kites to express solidarity with Palestinian children.

Five activists associated with Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine citizens’ group who were in the home were not allowed to leave when the operation was underway, people familiar with the situation said.

A sixth activist was interrogated at the Bandra police station on Friday before being released in the evening.

On September 15, participants around the world had flown kites to raise awareness about Israel’s war on Gaza.

The group alleged that persons in plainclothes claiming to be police officers arrived at the home of a volunteer and student, Harshada. Harshada told Scroll on Saturday that at some point there were as many as 15 police officers.

Starting 5.30 pm, uniformed police personnel carried out searches “without any warrant and without furnishing any written notice or document”, the group alleged.

Police officers left the woman’s residence at 2.30 am on Saturday, Pooja, a member of Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine, told Scroll.

“More than nine hours – and counting – for ‘searching’ a person’s place of residence without a warrant merely for flying kites in solidarity with Palestinian children!” the group said in a social media post on Saturday.

Harshada alleged...

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