Doda, September 25: Curfew has been imposed in Kishtwar town on Sunday following tension over the arrest of three people last night who were wanted by police on charges of sedition for the past few weeks.
The three have been identified as Abdul Qayoom Mattoo, a local Hurriyat leader and Imam of a local mosque in Omar mohalla, Saifuddin Bhagwan, a member of the Kishtwar's Majlis-e-Shoura and Firdous Bhagwan, a local Hurriyat leader. Another Imam of Banstan Jama Masjid, Qari Manzoor, however, escaped before police raided his residence.
Police raided the house of Abdul Qayoom Mattoo, a local Hurriyat leader and Imam of a local Omar Mosque in Omar mohalla, Saifuddin Bhagwan, a local Hurriyat leader and Firdous Bhagwan at around 1:30 am last night which created furore and people came out of their homes in protest.
According to reports stone were pelted on police party and announcements were made through loudspeakers, pro-freedom protests erupted, however police used lathi-charge to disperse off the protestors.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar, Sandeep Gupta said, “As precautionary measure, administration imposed curfew in the town from 4 am,” adding that situation is normal.
“Abdul Qayoom Matto and Saifuddin Bhagwan have been detained under Public Safety Act. There were number of cases has been registered against them for creating trouble in Kishtwar, we have send both of them to Kot-Balwal central jail in Jammu, however Firdous Bhagwan is in our custody,” he added.
There were huge deployment of police and paramilitary forces were seen in the town and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the district since the last report came to us.
There were among nearly 18 people booked by police on charges of sedition for raising anti-India slogans during protests organized after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by security forces in the Valley, sources said.
Meanwhile, expressing concern over the obtaining situation in Kishtwar, former minister and National Conference MLC Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo made a fervent appeal to people to maintain peace and calm, saying this is imperative for the larger interest of the sensitive township.
He criticised the spree of raids being conducted in the township resulting in harassment to the people that have aggravated the situation and vitiated the atmosphere.
