• Over 250 detained in 2015
At least 50 youth have been detained by police in downtown Srinagar since January 1 this year on charges of being involved in stone pelting.
According to the data compiled by police, at least 50 youth have been arrested in Srinagar under charges of pelting stones on cops on Fridays and during shutdowns called by the separatists this year.
The figures reveal that 82 stone pelting incidents took place in Srinagar in last two months. “50 youth participating in the stone pelting were identified and subsequently arrested by police”.
Sources said some youth were directly caught by security men during the stone pelting incidents while some others were arrested after being identified by cops in recorded video clips of the stone pelting incidents.
Police has been videographing the stone pelting incidents to identify the youth indulging in stone pelting.
The official figures reveal that in 2015, over 250 youth were arrested for allegedly pelting stones on the cops.
“In 2015, more than 250 youth were arrested alone in Srinagar on charges of pelting stones on the cops,” it revealed.
According to the figures, of the 250 youth arrested in 2015, 9 were minors and detained from downtown Srinagar.
The Nowhatta and its adjoining areas in downtown Srinagar witness stone pelting and clashes on every Friday. The youth also wave flags of Pakistan, ISIS and Lashkar-e-Toiba after the Friday prayers.
Police has been organizing cricket matches between youth and the cops to prevent the youngsters from indulging in stone pelting. However, these measures have not worked and stone pelting continues to take place.
From 2008 till date, stone pelting has become a persistent phenomenon. Many youth have lost their lives in police and paramilitary action during the clashes.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir SJM Gilani recently told us that invoking Public Safety Act (PSA) against stone pelters is the only alternative left with the police to control the stone pelting incidents in the Valley.
“If legal action against the stone pelters does not stop stone pelting incidents in the Valley, then we will have to take extreme steps to control it,” he had said.
