KL Report
Srinagar
Police have launched crackdown on youth allegedly involved in “stone-pelting” during recent protests that erupted across the valley following the Ramban killing. A top police official told CNS that soon a crackdown against the youth would be started in Old City areas of Srinagar. He said the police is analyzing the video footages and soon a drive would be started to nab them.
“Police is using video footage and photographs taken by undercover cops for arresting the youth. Police have so far arrested few youth and are hunting for more,” the police official said adding that list of wanted youth have been prepared and soon drive to hunt them would be started.
The police official said that they are conducting night raids in old Srinagar areas including Nowhatta, Khanyar and adjoining areas to pick up the youth involved in “stone-pelting” incidents.
Meanwhile, police during nocturnal raids arrested scores of youth from Chanapora, Hyderpora, Mehjoor Nagar and Lasjan area of Srinagar City.
Vice president District Sriangar Peoples Democratic Party, Abdul Rouf Bhat told CNS that dozens of helpless families approached him and blamed police for the arrest of youth in different parts of Srinagar city. “If police wants to arrest anyone then it should arrest BSP personnel who killed four innocent Muslims in Gool Town of Ramban. Youth have right to express resentment and protest but it is irony that voice is being muzzled by using repressive measures,” he said.
Sources said that police arrested scores of youth during nocturnal raids in and around Srinagar city to nab the youth allegedly involved in stone pelting.
Meanwhile, police during nocturnal raids arrested at least 19 youth from Nowshera area of Srinagar. People alleged that police committed excesses during nocturnal raids and beat inmates. The locals said that police arrested more than fifteen people during these raids. However police while confirming the nocturnal raids said that it arrested only five persons.
The arrested persons have been identified as Bashir Ahmed Mir, Rayees Ahmed Bhat, Nazir Ahmed Hazarey, Abdul Rashid Beigh, Gulzar Ahmed Khan, Altaf Ahmed Rather, Haji Abdul Rashid Beigh, Adil Shiekh, Jan Mohammad Beigh, Basit Ahmed Wani, Manzoor Ahmed Rather, Ajaz Ahmed Shiekh, Zahoor Ahmed Khan and Hilal Ahmed Khan.
Locals told CNS that Police arrested three brothers Jan Mohammad, Ashiq Hussain and Raja Mohammad Sons of late Assadullah from a single house. The arrested include a 55 years old man known as Guga, son of Mohammad Amin Rather as well.
Eyewitnesses said that during nocturnal raids police used tear smoke shells to silent the people. “We resisted the arrest of 55 years old man but the police without warning used tear smoke shells inside the house which speak volumes of tyranny of police,” one of the residents said.
Locals from Khwaja Pora,Mukdam Pora and Kagazgari Mohalla in Nowshera said that they could not sleep whole night due to the nocturnal raids conducted by the police.
Complete shutdown was observed in Nowshera area against the police excesses and random arrests of youth.
