Day 3: Bandipora shuts against arrests

A complete shutdown was observed on third consecutive day on Sunday in this North Kashmir town to protest against the detention of youth from various localities of town. The Traders Federation Bandipora has threatened agitation if youth are not released.
More than a dozen who were arrested for their alleged involvement in protests before and after the election youth are still in custody. Shops, commercial remained closed while only skeletal private transport plied on the roads.
“Police and CRPF personnel wearing riot gears and armed with weapons were deployed in the lanes and by-lanes of the town to foil protests,” reports said.
The locals alleged that the police has launched a crackdown and has been arresting youth during raids.
Early in the morning locals, parents and traders gathered in Gulshan Park and decided to go far shutdown against the continuous detention of youth.
The president of the Traders Federation Muhammad Yousuf Para appealed Authorities to release youths and avoid agitation. “We are requesting authorities to release youth as there is anger among local people” he said. “If youth are not released, we have no option other than to take to roads”.
 Later the local people and traders protested in main Chowk and carried a rally towards Nowpora Chowk. They are demanding unconditional release of arrested youth. 
Additional Superintendent of Police Bandipora told Greater Kashmir that youth will be released after completion of court process. ” There is nothing to protest against. Police has initiated the process of releasing youth”, he said while appealing people especially traders to cooperate with the authorities in maintaining the law and order.

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