Shah Abbas
SRINAGAR
Normal life resumed in the south town of Shopian, Thursday when shops and other business establishments opened after five days of shutdown and violent protests.
The protesters were alleging police of “highhandedness”. They were also demanding release of the arrested youth during raids on the charges of “anti-India” sloganeering and protests.
The local administration however, alleges that there are some “miscreants” in the town who create problems for the common masses.
“I can tell with authority that 90 percent population of the town is against the activities of few stone pelters,” Station House Officer (SHO) Shopian, Irshad Ahmad claimed while talking to Kashmir Life. He added that all the people were in close touch with police to normalize the situation but the activities “of a few miscreants had hijacked” the whole town.
The local sources informed Kashmir Life that the parents of the arrested youth and those who are wanted by the police had a meeting with the elders of the town last evening presided over by the Shopian Traders Federation president Ghulam Nabi Turray.
“It was during this meeting that the president assured he will talk to the police officials regarding the release of the arrested youth and about the people who are at large, but to end the continuous shutdown was a pre-condition which was fulfilled,” a local who claimed to be a part of the meeting informed KL.
Police have arrested ten people mostly youngsters in connection with the stone pelting and allegedly instigating “anti-India” protests.
“We have arrested 10 people who are involved in the three cases registered,” SHO Irshad said adding that police is looking for some other youths who are also involved in the said cases but still they are at large.
“We are also looking for Zubair Turray, who is involved in a number of cases and we are sure that we will arrest him very soon,” SHO informed.
Zubair Turray, is a local youth who came in focus during 2010, uprising. He was arrested many times after that. Last year he was booked under Public safety Act (PSA). However, the state high court quashed the PSA against him but now he is again wanted by police.
Meanwhile, the district authorities have taken many measures to “maintain law and order” in the town. A large number of police force has been deployed in every nook and corner of the town.
