Arrest spree sparks shutdown in Pulwama

Pulwama/April 5:  The continuous arrest spree sparked a shutdown in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday while agitated youth protesting against the arrests, attacked vehicles and shops causing damage to them.
Reports said that during a nocturnal raid, Police picked up a youth from Dalipora locality of Pulwama town. He has been identified as Jan Muhammad Malik son of Habibullah Malik. Police also conducted raids in different villages of the town making arrests of at least 12 other youths. Confirming these arrests, SSP Pulwama Rayees Ahmed Bhat said 12 people involved in stone-pelting incidents were arrested out of town while a youth was picked up in the town.
Eyewitnesses said that a large number of people took to roads and protested against these arrests. Some of the youth hurled stones on vehicles plying on the roads and shops that were open in the town. Witnesses added that dozens of vehicles were damaged by agitated youth. The hurling of rocks on vehicles and shops resulted in the shutdown.
Pertinently police has made surge in the arrests in south Kashmir ahead of Parliament by-polls. From last month more than hundred youth were arrested.