Former Stone-Pelters, Militants Detained Ahead of Polls in South Kashmir
Police Crackdown Triggers Anger Among Families of Detainees
Youth Sent to Central Jail Despite No Recent Involvement in Protests
Families Allege Harassment, Say Past Haunts Reformed Individuals
Police: Only ‘Potential Troublemakers’ Being Called for Preventive Action
Anantnag, Dec 1, KNT: As Assembly elections near in South Kashmir, police have intensified surveillance and action against former militants and youth previously involved in stone-pelting incidents. According to sources, several such individuals have been detained in recent days, with police reportedly aiming to prevent any potential disruption during the poll period.
Among those detained is Atif Hussain Sheikh alias Babloo, a load-carrier driver from Deva Colony in Anantnag. He was arrested on Saturday and sent to Central Jail on Monday. His wife told KNT that Atif had been arrested back in 2010 over stone-pelting allegations, but had since turned over a new leaf. “He started earning through honest work and stayed away from any protests. Yet, he has been jailed again without any fresh charges,” she said.
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In another case, the family of Ashiq Hussain, a former militant from Mattan, accused police of routinely detaining him. “Every time a politician visits the town, police pick up my son. He left the gun years ago and now works to support his family. Despite that, he is kept in custody without any reason,” his mother told KNT, adding that Ashiq was still in the police station.
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Sources said that police have begun summoning former stone-pelters to local police stations and are likely to keep them under watch or detention until the election process concludes in South Kashmir.
When contacted, a police official said the action is precautionary and targeted only at individuals who could pose a threat to peace during the elections. “We are not detaining everyone. Only those with a record of disturbing law and order are being called in,” the official told KNT.
