Srinagar
The Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, SJM Geelani on Monday said that 95 Kashmiri youth have joined militancy during the last one year, raising the total strength of the militants active in the valley to 200.
Addressing a press Conference he said, “There are over 200 militants active in Kashmir. 95 youth have joined the militant ranks in the past year.”
He said while 110 militants are locals, rest of them are foreigners.
He also blamed “outside elements” for fomenting trouble in campuses in Kashmir.
In Handwara, he said, “Some outside elements spent money and lured students, forcing them to resort to clashes.”
Geelani promised action “as per law” on the police crackdown on Degree College Pulwama on April 15 that triggered widespread student protests across Kashmir.
“An inquiry is on and action as per law will be taken,” he said.
On the social media ban imposed by the government, Geelani said the impact of the ban will be assessed at the end of the one-month period.
“After the one-month period (is over), the ban on social media will be reviewed,” he said.
The state government imposed a ban on 22 websites and social media applications last month as it believed that these platforms were being misused by inimical elements to stoke trouble in Kashmir.
Moreover Geelani informed police has registered five cases in connection with the killing of political workers.
He said, “Police has arrested an over ground worker and a lawyer who had helped militants in planning the killing of the political worker.”
When asked about the situation in Kashmir Geelani said that north and central parts of Kashmir are under complete control but ‘there are certain issues in certain areas in southern parts of Kashmir and police is taking measures to contain the situation”.
