Over 12,000 persons were arrested in Kashmir during the ongoing uprising that has completed four months even as police said review of cases as directed by Chief Minister will only start once situation turns total normal.
To counter the ongoing uprising, police have launched massive arrest drive across Kashmir and hunt to arrest more is on. The arrest spree started soon after the Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani along with his associates was killed on July 8.
Official sources said over 12,000 people were arrested in four months. Among them, they said 4000 are still languishing in Police Stations and detention centers. The arrested persons include activists of various resistance groups that include Hurriyat (G), Hurriyat (M), JKLF besides a good number of students.
Official sources said that most of the arrests have been carried out in south Kashmir (Anantnag, Pulwama, Awantipora, Kulgam and Shopian) followed by north Kashmir (Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Sopore, Handwara) and central Kashmir (Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal).
Residents of almost all areas of Kashmir say that joint parties raid their residential houses during the night, barge into houses, break windows and doors, and pick up any youngster in the house they get hold of. The arrests have sparked off protests in most parts of Kashmir. Day in and day out there are reports of protests from one or the other area against the arrests.
The continuous nocturnal raids by joint parties of police and other forces have forced hundreds of youth in Kashmir to go into hiding. The residents allege harassment at the hands of forces who barge into residential areas at night time.
Official sources add that during four months police has registered more than 2300 FIRs in different Police Stations. Reports suggest that raids are being conducted regularly to the arrest the youth.
Director General of Police (DGP), Law and Order, Dr SP Vaid said that over 7,000 persons were arrested and 1100 are still under detention. “We have released 5,885 persons on bail till now,” Dr Vaid told Kashmir PostTuesday. He said whosoever is involved in FIRs will have to face the law. “Over 1500 are still wanted,” the senior police officer said, adding raids to arrest the involved will continue.
Dr Vaid said that review of the cases has so far been not started. “The review will only start once violence is curtailed totally,” he said. “In case we release the youth, the cycle of violence that has been curtailed almost 90 percent will continue,” he added.
