Srinagar: As per certain media reports the J&K police have arrested close to 7,000 people in the Kashmir valley during the ongoing curfew in Jammu and Kashmir. This span of curfew is being termed as the longest ever curfew in the valley which has lasted for more than 100 days. Besides this more than 450 people have reportedly been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA). SabrangIndia maintains that the number of people booked under PSA this time was the highest ever number in the valley.
Last week (third week of October) saw a record number of arrests, as 446 people were arrested by J-K police.
In addition to the arrest spree, some news reports have claimed that around 1,500 others are under detention in a number of police stations across the state, without formal arrests or charges.
The valley has been facing lockdown since the encounter killing of pro-freedom Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani on July 8.
The PDP-BJP government in the state has incurred wrath of several human rights organisation and activists for reckless slapping of PSA on the civilians. (ALSO READ | As Kashmir Faces Humanitarian Crisis, Time To Show Statesmanship: PUCL). …
A team of experts from United Nations earlier demanded release of Khurram Parvez who also has been booked under PSA. (ALSO READ | India’s refusal to allow UN officials to probe excesses in Kashmir is a sign of its arrogance and malicious intentions) …
According to the figures accessed by The Indian Express, police have submitted PSA dossiers against 560 people and have received approval for 483 cases. The Act empowers government to detain a person without trial for a period up to six months.
A Kashmir Age report claimed that 5,500 of the arrested persons were released after assurance of conduct from their relatives or parents.