Srinagar, Aug 9: Police have detained more than 45 youth in Srinagar and south Kashmir during nocturnal raids during the past two days, sources told Greater Kashmir on Tuesday. 
 They said apart from that, several youth, who were earlier charged for participating in protests, are being called to police stations. A police official working in Old City told Greater Kashmir that they have detained 35 youth in the past two days in different areas falling under their jurisdiction.
 “Around 20 protesters were detained on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday midnight from different pockets of the Old City,” the officer said. “On Tuesday we got their remand from the Court.” On the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, the police officer said more raids were carried out and 15 protesters were arrested. “They are in the police lock-up and we have approached court to get their remand,” the official said.
 The police said the raids were carried out in police stations coming under the jurisdiction of MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safkadal and Rainawari.
  “We have allotted video cameras to each police station. Even CRPF personnel have the cameras. They shoot during the protests and then we identify them,”  a police officer said. “After identifying, we locate their homes and then go for a night raid. During day it’s impossible to get catch them”.
 The police official involved in the crackdown on protesters admitted that it was more difficult to contain pelters than militants.  “We are not sure how to counter this challenge. Militancy was a lesser menace for us,” he said.
 There are many youth in Old City who are on the run fearing arrest.
 On the other hand, a youth who was charged in 2009 for taking part in protests in Safakadal areas said he is being regularly called by the concerned police station.
 “I am a salesman now. But from past six days, police station people are regularly calling me,” a 24 year old youth told Greater Kashmir. “I am not alone. There are more people who are being called to appear in the police station”.
 He said their family members were worried over the police action. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar, Ashiq Bukhari confirmed that they have arrested protesters during past two days- Monday and Tuesday- on charges of stone pelting.
 “But I can’t divulge the figures,” Bukhari said. “We are expecting more arrests”.In south Kashmir’s Islamabad (Anantnag)  town, the police said they have detained five protesters.
 “We have arrested five protesters,” SSP Islamabad (Anantnag), RK Jhalla said. However, residents said 10 youth have been detained so far.  They said the arrests were carried out in Ashajipora, Dangarpora, Malak nag,  and Janglat Mandi. “The arrested include an MBA student. He has a project and was about to appear in his internal exams,” residents said. “All the arrests were carried during nights”.In the morning, small protests broke out in Islamabad against the detention.
 Similarly five youth were detained in Ratnipora area of Pulwama district. The residents said during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday police and CRPF swooped on the houses and detained five youth in the village.
 “Due to arrests, the youth in entire village are on the run,” a resident Farhat Ahmad said. “We have been told those youth were arrested who protested during the recent encounter in Puchal Pulwama”.
 SP Pulwama, Amit Kumar said they have picked five youth for questioning.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST