Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 10: A day after Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, directed police to protect the voters who were terrorized in North Kashmir, Police today arrested 8 youth on charges of stone pelting and intimidating voters and hunt for others is going on in North Kashmir.
A Police spokesman today said police have arrested eight persons who were accused of thrashing voters in Baramulla district of North Kashmir.
“Eight more miscreants involved in the incidents of harassment of some passengers have been arrested from Sopore and Baramulla”, the spokesman said.
“All the miscreants involved in these acts of harassment and assaults have been identified. Stringent action is being taken against those involved in these offences and no one involved will be spared,” the spokesman said.
He added that police has formed special teams to raids and arrest other “miscreants” involved in these acts.
Sources said that four special teams headed by two DSPs of Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir and DSP headquarter have been formed in Sopore town of North Kashmir to arrest the youth who pelted stones on police and CRPF to intimidate voters on May 7 when Baramulla constituency went for polls and those who beat up those who voted and stripped a few of them.
The four special teams carry their raids in civvies so as to catch hold of these stone pelters. One team is looking after Model town, second after Nowpora road, third one after Main chowk and Batpora while fourth one looks after Iqbal Market and General Bus Stand.
The special police teams have also been formed in Baramulla town to arrest the stone pelters who intimidated voters.
In the meantime, life in Baramulla town remained paralysed in response to an indefinite strike call given by Baramulla traders. These traders have demanded release of over three dozen of youth who were arrested by police on charges of stone pelting.
Omar yesterday wrote on twitter: “We will take action against anyone trying to terrorize the voters.”
Police have arrested over 100 youth across Kashmir who blocked vote during polls in Anantnag, Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies. Two of them, one each from Pulwama and Shopian districts were booked under controversial Public Safety Act.
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