Youth on run as Police intensifies crackdown in Kashmir

With India's Independence Day barely five days away, hundreds of Kashmiri youth are on the run following the latest drive by the police to arrest the potential protesters besides those who are suspected of taking part in the recent pro-independence demonstrations in the capital city. Officials said that at least three dozen youth have been arrested by police during surprise raids and crackdown in several downtown localities of the city in the aftermath of violent clashes between police and the supporters of Hurriyat Conference on Friday, last week. The police drive, reports said started on Friday night when contingent of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers and police personnel appeared in Hurriyat strongholds of Nowhatta, Gojwara, Kawdara, Nawab Bazar and other areas of the Old City and detained several alleged protesters reportedly involved in stone pelting on police and central forces. Since Friday, reports said, the drive has been in progress with more arrests being made every day and night. Residents allege that many innocent civilians were also arrested by police and lodged at the police station without any reason or rhyme. Police raids particularly during night hours has created a scare and many youth have deserted their homes and have taken refuge with their friends and relatives. August 15 has scared them more,” a resident added. Meanwhile, reports in local newspapers said today that many alleged stone pelters were produced before the court and their remand was sought till August 16. “The families pleading that their children were minor have been asked by court to produce the date of birth certificates of their wards to prove the claim,” these reports said. A local news agency PBI quoted an unnamed senior police officer saying that the drive against the protesters will continue. “We’ll ensure the arrest of the last stone pelter. No one will be spared,” the officer said.