SRINAGAR: Ahead of third phase of election for Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, security forces have launched a massive crackdown in various area of South Kashmir in which dozens of youth, have been detained.
Security forces conducted raids at several places in the twin districts, where the last and third phase election in Pulwama and Shopian will be held on May 6 for Anantnag constituency.
A day earlier, security forces swooped down on Murran village of Pulwama from where at least 19 youth were detained on unspecified charges. Sources said more than two dozen youth have been detained from Kangan, Newa, Parigama, Rajpora, Payar, Keegam and other villages.
“At least 20 more youth were detained from other villages of Shopian and Pulwama during nocturnal raids. This is an ongoing operation to ensure that election takes place peacefully,” police sources said.
On Thursday, posters purportedly issued by the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit appeared in some areas of Shopian, warning people to boycott the election. The separatists have also issued a poll boycott appeal.
With barely 12 percent votes polled, elections in the first two phases in Anantnag district on April 23 and Kulgam district on April 29 was marred by low voter turnout. Some sporadic incidents of violence were also reported from the two districts.
State government is planning to deploy 40,000 central paramilitary troopers in Pulwama and Shopian in addition to the existing personnel of police, paramilitary and army which run in thousands.
Meanwhile Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, Chairman of the Hurriyat (M) has condemned the ongoing arrest spree in South Kashmir ahead of the polls in Shopian and Pulwama districts.
In a tweet, Mirwaiz said that the continued repression in South Kashmir is heart rendering.
Mirwaiz said strongly condemn the daily arrest spree of youth from Pulwama and Shopian. “Continued repression in South Kashmir is heart rendering. Unless all those who claim to speak for fundamental Human Rights of all don’t speak up,people of Kashmir will continue to be at the receiving end”, he said. (PTK)
