At least 16 teenagers from different parts of Old Srinagar City has been languishing in Police Station Nowhatta from past 28 days and the irony is that no FIR’s have been registered against them. These youth had been arrested by police during nocturnal raids from the areas like Lal Bazar, Zonimar, Botakadal, Amdakadal, Nowhatta, Kawdawara and other parts of the city. Police claimed that all the arrested youth are involved in stone-pelting incidents, a charge refuted by most of the parents.“My son (name withheld), a class 11 student never indulged in stone-pelting. From past 28 days, he along with other youth have been staying days and nights in police station. Burhan was arrested on the very first day of Ramadhan,” an anxious father from downtown told CNS.
Parents said that they were expecting that their kids will be released in wake of Eid, but, “chances have become minimal now as after keeping our kids in lock up for 28 days at a stretch illegally, police have now informed us that formal cases (FIR’s) have been registered against the arrested youth. We can’t apply for bail as there is State Holiday on July 17 (Friday). This is the state of affairs in Mufti’s Jammu and Kashmir,” parents said.They said that people were expecting the release of political prisoners in wake of Eid-ul-Fitar, but contrary, the police have been booking the youth.A police official told CNS that nobody is above law and anybody involved in anti-social activities will be dealt severely. (CNS)