Protest in Tral as police arrests militant’s sister

Srinagar: The arrest of Hizb militant’s sister sparked off massive anti-police demonstrations in Tral area of Pulwama district on Friday.

Reports said a police team carried out a raid at the Pinglish residence of Hizbul-Mujahideen militant Sajad Ahmad Dar alias Amir, son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district last morning. The police arrested Sajad’s young sister, Suraya and lodged at the police station. She was later booked under section 21 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

When the news of Suraya’s arrest spread in the village, hundreds of men, women and children took to streets and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting slogans, the protesters were demanding immediate release of the detained teenager.

“A police team led by Station House Officer (SHO) raided Suraya’s house and detained her. They (cops) assured the family to release her after questioning,” Mohammad Ashraf Dar, a neighbor said.

“We thought police will release the woman as they had assured. However, when they refused to do so, we protested,” he added.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Tral, Tahir Saleem said that the woman has been detained under section 21 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

“A case Fir No 5/2010 has been registered against her. Further investigations are going on,” he added.