Budgam: After the killing of Hizb Commander Muhammad Yasin Itoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi, police have arrested scores of youth mostly students from different parts of Chadoora town in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, locals said.
Ghaznavi, a resident of Nagam Chadoora was killed in a fierce gun battle at Awneera village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on August 13. Two of his associates and two soldiers were also killed in the same gun fight. His killing had sparked protests and clashes in Chadoora town while according to locals police apprehended number of youth shortly after his killing and are detained in different police stations.
“Most of the detained youth are students who have been arrested to debar them from participating in the pro-freedom protests,” said a local.
A police official feigned ignorance and said that no one has been arrested.
Meanwhile, Chadoora and its adjoining areas remained shut for the fourth consecutive day against the killing of Mehmood Ghaznavi. All shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained shut while due to restrictions, skeletal movement of transport was observed on the roads.
Mourners in hundreds visited the house of slain militant on his ‘Chahrum’ and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. Those who visited the family included Human Rights activist Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, Imtiyaz Hyder and Nisar Hussain Rather.
