Police hunt for protesters

Police hunt for protesters

Greater Kashmir Sept 3 2008
M HYDERI


Srinagar, Sep 2: It was return of fear of the troops of early ’90s on Monday night when police and paramilitary troopers raided Nowhatta area -the nerve center of downtown Srinagar- hunting for the local youth while the troopers beat many residents including a polio patient.
The residents said at around 11 PM, the troopers zoomed into the area in Gypsies, Scorpios and mini-trucks and cordoned the area of Rang Hamam, Nowhatta.
In no time, the troopers barged into the residential houses in the densely populated area and started inquiring about the locality youth.
Fearing raids due to past days of reported atrocities in the city, many youth had migrated to safer areas.
“But as the troopers couldn’t find their catch, they started thrashing us,” said the residents.
Some of the male family members, the complainants said, were even asked to report to the police station.
They said as the houses were being raided, cries could be heard from a Gypsy where a youth was being beaten. “None of them (youth) is here. You have misguided us and we wont leave you,” the residents quoted the troopers as saying while they kept beating the youth.
The locals believe the youth was arrested by police during daytime protests in a nearby area and was being tortured to identify other protesters.
“They are now forcing innocent people to work as informers. This will won’t ever tolerate,” shouted the people.
After the Rang Hamam episode, the troopers raided the adjoining area of Baba-ud-Din Sahib and made similar efforts in the area, reports said.
Police denies it. When contacted the superintendent of police, North City said: “ We have no such reports.”