Police arrests 300 youth in Baramulla, Pulwama, Budgam

Ahead of third phase of Assembly elections on Tuesday, police have arrested about 300 persons in Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama districts “to ensure peaceful polling.”
Police said the arrests have been made to avoid any law and order problem during the elections.
Reports said police conducted massive raids in these districts and arrested youth. “In our localities, police carried out nocturnal raids and arrested several youth,” residents of Baramulla said, adding “due to fear of police, many youth have gone into hiding.”
Similar reports came in from Pulwama and Budgam districts. “We are unable to understand this massive crackdown launched by police,” residents of Kellar area of Pulwama said. “Some youth were called to police stations and detained there.”
Sources said arrests have also been made from areas of Ratnipora, Pampore, Khrew, Kakapora, Tahab, Karim Abad, Koil, Achan, Sirnu, Tral, Awantipora and Rajpora.
Police have detained several youth in Sopore area of Baramulla district. Earlier, several youth from the area were arrested for anti-election posters that appeared there recently.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Abdul Ghani Mir, admitted that over 200 youth have been arrested in these districts. He claimed most of them are stone-throwers, Over Ground Workers and trouble mongers.
“We will not allow anybody to disrupt polls,” the IGP said.