Several young boys were arrested across Srinagar after they participated in pro-Palestine protests. The J&K Police also arrested a local artist and preacher along with the youths.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti reacted on Sunday by calling Kashmir an “open prison”. Mehbooba in a tweet said “People all over the world are protesting against the atrocities committed by Israel on Palestine. But in Kashmir its a punishable offence where an artist is booked under PSA & a preacher is arrested simply for expressing solidarity with Palestinians.”
In another tweet on Sunday, Mehbooba said, “Kashmir is an open air prison where people’s thoughts are being monitored & they are punished for it. There is no outlet left to express one’s opinion & this is a deliberate attempt to push Kashmiris to the wall.”
17 boys who had been picked up by the police for indulging in protests over the Israel-Palestine situation have since been counselled and handed back to their families. The move aims at avoiding harsh punishment so the boys’ futures are not spoiled.
The boys had been arrested for participating in protests in violation of Section 51 of the DM Act during the ongoing Corona Curfew in Kashmir, which has been extended to 24 May.
A police spokesperson said that the parents of the young boys assured that they will guide their children not to engage in any activities which are against the law and can lead to the spread of infection in times of Covid.
SSP Srinagar Sandeep Chaudhary appealed to the youngsters to concentrate on their studies and career building. He told them that there is a section in society who manage to have the best facilities and life opportunities for themselves and their families but use boys from humble backgrounds as fodder for furthering their careers and agendas. “Those who push young boys on the path of violence never show up to help the parents of those whose careers get destroyed through engaging in illegal activities,” he said.
He also assured the parents that the Jammu and Kashmir Police are duty bound to release their wards after counselling in a transparent manner. “The larger goal of preventing youngsters from taking a greater leap of criminality is the sole motto of the ‘community bond’ because parents and elders of the localities take responsibility for better conduct on the part of these boys,” he said.
SP South Srinagar Sajjad Shah, SP North Srinagar Mubashir Bukhari and other officers of district were also present during the interaction.
In downtown Srinagar, a local journalist working with an English daily and some young boys were also arrested by the police after a Friday prayer protest against Israel. According to family members, Safakadal police station of Srinagar booked them under various sections and, despite assurances by the respectable locals in the city, the police refused to release them.
Shayib Bhat, who is working very actively in the field for the local English newspaper, is still under detention in the Safakadal police station. The locals say he was performing his duties while the protest was going on in Srinagar.