Youth go into hiding to evade arrest as nocturnal raids continue

The continuous nocturnal raids by police have forced scores of youth in Kashmir areas to go into hiding, even as residents allege harassment at the hands of forces who barge into residential areas at night-time.
The night raids are being conducted, almost daily, in north, central and south Kashmir areas jointly by police, army and paramilitary forces to nab youth who are allegedly involved in stone-throwing and street protests, during the past 56 days of anti-India uprising triggered by the killing of Hibzul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The raids have triggered protests in most Kashmir areas and are, according to observers, only “adding fuel to the ongoing fire.”
In a major crackdown on protesters, police have so far arrested more than 2500 persons from different parts of Kashmir in a span of just four weeks in bid to end to the ongoing uprising.
In the second week of August, lecturer Shabir Ahmad Mango was among a group of people arrested by Army during a terrifying night raid at Sharshali area in Khrew Pampore. Later, he was brought dead to a local hospital. The residents said Army soldiers that day came to the village during night and entered every house. “They were also carrying rods and planks with nails. Anyone who came in their way was beaten to pulp,” the residents said.
Last night, sources said, police, army and CRPF carried out nocturnal raids in Sonawari areas of Bandipora district and arrested half a dozen people including two brothers. The police raid sparked protests in the area and people were demanding release of the youth.
Reports of nocturnal raids by police also came in from Kupwara, Sopore, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam, Srinagar and almost all South Kashmir districts.
The residents alleged that joint police parties harass inmates after they fail to locate the youth who have mostly gone into hiding to evade arrest. “They (cops) even beat inmates and order parents of youth to attend police stations,” they said.
Residents of Zaindar Mohalla in Habbakadal Srinagar alleged that police lobbed tear-gas shells into residential houses after they did not find youth whom they had come to arrest.
Similar allegations were levelled by people in Palhallan, Budgam and Kupwara.
Police said though they have caught several youth while pelting stones, they are facing a stiff resistance during night raids.
“People hit the streets in large numbers to foil our attempts to arrest youth during nights. People raise instant alarm through mosque loudspeakers, asking people to come out of their houses,” a police official said. “This makes our task difficult.”

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