Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 28: In a major crackdown ahead of polling in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency on April 30, at least 600 people were arrested and more arrests are likely in Kashmir to prevent South Kashmir like situation where polling parties and polling booths were attacked by protesters with stones last week on polling day leading to ding dong battles between police and stone pelters.
A police spokesman said here: “…to ensure peaceful and violence free polling in Central Kashmir, police has been taking preventive measures and arrested around 400 stone pelters and trouble mongers in this range. Similarly arrests have been effected in North Kashmir, around 60 stone pelters have been taken into preventive custody.”
“Nobody will be allowed to disrupt the electoral process. The arrests have been made and will continue to be effected to instill confidence among the voters so that no one attempts to intimidate the people by resorting to violence against those who want to exercise their franchise”, the spokesman said.
Police have also arrested around 130 persons from South Kashmir on charges of pelting stones on polling staff, security forces and polling booths in South Kashmir on April 24.
“In view of stone pelting incidents and violence resorted by miscreants on the poll day in South Kashmir on April 24, police had initiated action to identify the trouble mongers and stone pelters. Following this action Police has so far arrested 70 stone pelters in South Kashmir with 25 arrests made in Pulwama, nine in Shopian, 12 in Awantipora, 13 in Kulgam and 11 in Anantnag District. Further arrests are expected in coming days as more stone pelters who have already been identified are yet to be arrested”, the police spokesman said.
Some of the separatist leaders have been put under house arrest while others have been detained to prevent them from disturbing the poll process.
The security forces have also been put on alert across the central Kashmir to thwart any militant attack aimed at disturbing the polls in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency.
The Special Operation Group (SOG) of police and CRPF conducted searches in various parts of Srinagar city including Bemina, Lal Chowk, Maisuma, Nowgam, Dalgate, Hyderpora and Chanpora today.
Security forces are patrolling various localities across the constituency to put pressure on militants and those who may try to disrupt the polls. Surprise frisking of passengers and vehicle checking is being conducted at various places across the constituency.
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