Asif Iqbal Naik
KISHTWAR
After launching crack-down against pro-freedom leadership and their sympathizers, strict curfew continues to remain imposed in Chenab Valley’s Kishtwar district.
During a mid-night raid, police arrested a government employee allegedly involved in “anti-India” protest that rocked Kishtwar district during the on-going Kashmir uprising.
As per the details available with Kashmir Life over half-a-dozen teams of Kishtwar police along with local magistrates conducted raids at the residence of various employees, but managed to arrest only one employee.
The district administration and police have identified over three dozen employees for allegedly taking part in “anti-India”, pro-freedom and pro-Pakistan protest and they were not found in their homes when police raided their residences.
The police sources informed Kashmir Life that one employee identified as Ajaz Ahmed Kelam, son of Nazir Ahmad Kelam, resident of Fareedia Mohallah Kishtwar was arrested by the police from his residence last night.
Police said that Ajaz Ahmed Kelam is an employee of Sheep Husbandry Department and is posted at Marwah block of Kishtwar District.
“He was wanted in FIR No. 157/2016 registered under various acts of sedition at police station Kishtwar for his involvement in taking part in protests and instigating the youths for anti-India protest,” police said.
“Some people tried to stall his arrest, but huge presence of CRPF, Police and SSB thwarted their attempt by using force to keep such people at bay,” police said.
The reports, however, said that at least 6 people were injured in police action last night while over a dozen people were injured during Saturday night raids.
The officials at District Hospital Kishtwar told Kashmir Life that no injured person reported at the hospital for any treatment. Sources said that the injured persons are being treated at home as they fear arrest from the police.
A senior police officer when contacted informed that besides arrest of resistance leaders, police had also started crack-down on government employees. He didn’t rule out more arrest.
“Yes there is a list of over three dozen employees with police – we are scrutinizing and analysing the level of the involvement of each employee and accordingly those employees will be booked and arrested,” said the senior police officer wishing anonymity.
He said, “no guilty person will be spared. Arrests and raids will continue.”
Meanwhile, various agencies continued raiding at key locations of Imam Bunastan Masjid Kishtwar Qari Manzoor Ganaie who gave slip to police during last Saturday night raid in which two of his associates, Abdul Qayoom Bagban and Saif – ud-Din Baghwan were arrested and booked under Public Safety Act and subsequently lodged in Kotbalwal jail Jammu.
Police said that Manzoor Ahmad Ganaie is “most wanted” among the resistance leadership and added, “his freedom is detrimental to long lasting peace in Kishtwar District.”
Curfew continued in sensitive Kishtwar district on 2nd consecutive day today.
There are remote chances of lifting of curfew today as extra forces had already started rushing to Kishtwar District.
The official sources confirmed to Kashmir Life that around 600 security forces personnel arrived in the district in last 36 hours and more personnel are being rushed to Kishtwar as government does not want to take any risk amid potential threat of breaking of communal riots in this sensitive district.
Senior police officials were seen on roads implementing the curfew in key sensitive areas of Bunastan, Bagwan Mohallah, Umar Mohallah, Sangrabata and other areas.
The sources said that senior officials of police and administration will sit in the afternoon to decide about curfew in relaxation.
The police said that the situation is under control and no “untoward” incident was reported from any part of the district in last 36 hours.
