Over 16000 booked under PSA in JK in 26 yrs: Govt

The Home Department has revealed that 16,329 people in the State have been booked under infamous Public Safety Act (PSA) after eruption of militancy in the region in 1988.
In an official reply to an RTI application filed by Abdul Manan Bukhari, legal cell head of Hurriyat Conference (M), Home department has stated that 16329 people in Kashmir were booked under PSA after eruption of militancy in the State.
“Since 1988, 230 persons have been detained in Apple town Sopore under PSA while in the same town 221 persons have been booked for single time while as 9 youth were booked under PSA for two times,” Home Ministry reply revealed.
It disclosed that in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, 121 PSAs were been slapped so far since the creation of this district in 2008. “During the same period 21 FIRs have been registered against minors”.
“In Anantnag district, 567 persons were booked under PSA and 18 of them were booked twice. Since 1988, 21 minors have been booked for their alleged role in stone-pelting and other incidents in the district,” the home ministry disclosed.
It further revealed that 316 persons were detained under PSA in Baramulla since 1988. “32 FIRs have been lodged against the minors in the district since inception of militancy in the State”.
“In Kulgam district, 266 persons were booked under PSA and 10 of them were booked twice. Since 1988, 27 minors have been booked for their alleged role in stone-pelting and other incidents in the district. In Bandipora, 167 persons were detained under PSA. 13 FIRs have been lodged against the minors in the district,” the home ministry revealed.
It further disclosed that 118 persons mostly involved in militancy cases have been detained in Kathua district under PSA. “141 minors have been arrested in Kathua under various criminal cases since 1989. At least 25 minors were booked by police in Kathua in 2013”. (CNS)