Kashmir unrest: Over 50 suspected to be involved in stone pelting arrested

Srinagar: More than 50 youths, suspected to be involved in stone pelting incidents during the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, have been arrested since yesterday as part of the police's effort to restore normalcy in the Valley.

"Continuing its drive against the trouble mongers involved in damaging civilian vehicles, shops, houses and placing obstructions on roads, police arrested 56 miscreants during the last 24 hours," a police spokesman said today.

More than 1500 youths were arrested by police for their alleged involvement in disruptive activities in the first couple of weeks of the unrest, which erupted after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

The police spokesman also said overall situation in the Valley is under control today.

"Apart from few stone pelting incidents in Kulgam, Kupwara and Awantipora, overall situation remained under control across the Valley. There was increased vehicular movement on city roads as well as between various districts and towns," he said.

The spokesman said restriction under section 144 of CrPC remained in force in the valley.

"However, curfew was imposed under the areas of some police stations in Srinagar city and in Shopian town," he said.

Minor incidents of stone pelting were reported from Sadoora in Kulgam, Padgampora in Awantipora and Panzgam in Kupwara, he said.

"At these places miscreants assembled on roads and pelted stones on police and security force deployments. They were dispersed by using mild force," he added.