Dozens remain lodged in various police stations of Srinagar

Srinagar, March 31, 2013 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, dozens of youth are presently lodged in different police stations of Srinagar for participating in recent demonstrations against the hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru while dossiers have also been issued to book five persons under the draconian law, Public Safety Act (PSA).

A Srinagar-based daily reported that the Indian police are detaining the youth across the Kashmir Valley in a bid to prevent 2010-like mass uprising in the Valley.

Since the hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru on February 9, police have arrested over 500 youth, including Hurriyet leaders and activists, from different areas of the territory. Most of them were arrested from Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama and Islamabad districts.

In Srinagar, raids and arrests continue and 40 youth still remain lodged in different police stations.

Residents of several areas of Srinagar told the daily that police were carrying out nocturnal raids which had created fear among them, especially the youth. Most of the youth have been arrested from Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Soura and Battamaloo areas of the city. The residents said that police were hunting for several other youth from old city areas.

The frequent raids by police have forced many youth to go into hiding to evade arrest. “Several youth from old Srinagar areas have left their homes and are putting up with their relatives or friends,” a delegation of Saraf Kadal residents told the daily. “Some have even gone outside the Valley due to police fear. We are unable to understand why police are carrying out these arrests,” the residents added.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Phone: 92-51-4435548, 4435549
Fax: 92-51-4861736