Condemning frequent questioning of “Islamist” youth by government forces, Jama’at-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir Saturday said the harassing practice has created insecurity and uncertainty among the masses in Kashmir.
“A new trend to harass and intimidate pro-Islamic youths is going on in the valley which has developed a sense of insecurity and uncertainty among the common masses,” advocate Zahid Ali, the Jama’at spokesman said in a statement.
“These Islamist youth particularly students are frequently called to the army camps and police stations and asked confusing and unwarranted questions about their religious beliefs and tendencies,” the statement said.
“Questions are asked (in) such a manner as if religiosity is one of the biggest problems and root causes of all evils and crimes.”
According to the JeI statement, Baramullah police are at the forefront of this policy.
“The Baramulla police has taken lead in this intimidating policy where the religious minded youth are called to different police stations and subjected to unjustified and harassing situation by posing strange questions regarding their personal tendency towards any school of thought and the scholars of Islam,” the statement said.
“It is felt that the people in the valley should now have to read the literature and follow the scholar or school of thought which the Baramulla police would suggest.”
The JeI spokesman said police investigators were particularly seeking lists of pro-Islamic students.
“This unjustified investigation and intimidation process started by the police and other agencies is a blatant violation of all the fundamental human rights.”
The JeI state also demanded that the “this barbaric attitude of the police and other agencies” be stopped.