Srinagar, Sept 27: Parents of many youth arrested during the ongoing unrest in the Valley have alleged that police are demanding money to release their wards, a charge denied by police.   
 A group of Budgam residents told Greater Kashmir that policemen are seeking money to release the arrested youth. “Police are seeking hefty amounts through activists of some political parties to release our children,” they alleged. 
 However, police denied the accusations. Talking to Greater Kashmir Inspector General of Police S M Sahai said he had not received any such complaint. “If I will get any such complaint we will look into it. But the complaint should be authentic. It should not be intended to pressurize police to release stonepelters,” Sahai added.
 The alleged police actions have started to backfire as human rights groups, lawyers and parents of the arrested persons have decided to approach the court.
 When contacted the senior superintendent of police, Budgam Aftab Kakroo told Greater Kashmir that 62 youth including 27 students have been arrested in the district on the charges of unlawful activities and stonepelting. “After rigorous verification by CID we have booked 14 youth under Public Safety Act,” he said.
 For the release of any arrestee, Kakroo said he had formed a transparent and corruption free system in the district.
 Residents of many old city areas accused police of making arbitrary arrests. “Police have arrested several youth, including minors who were either moving on streets or riding bikes on charges of stone-pelting.”
 A parent from Hazratbal wishing anonymity said police had detained his ward on the charges of stonepelting and other unlawful activities. He said the local police was seeking money from him to release his ward.
 When contacted Superintendent of Police Hazratbal, Maqsood-uz-Zaman said, “ Anyone having any such complaint should get in touch with me.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST