Adil Lateef
SRINAGAR, Nov 2: At least 38 persons, 11 of them suspects, have been detained by police across Kashmir for burning of 27 schools since first week of September.
Official sources told Excelsior that they have detained 38 persons, 11 are suspects, and they are being thoroughly investigated. “Besides questioning, their Call Detail Records (CDRs) and mobile tower locations are being sought from concerned to check their presence in the area at the days of incidents,” they said. Police said there is progress in investigation of at least four cases.
Sources said the detained persons have been participating in protests and stone-pelting during the unrest while many of them have been linked with militants in the past. Police have already constituted three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) and they have been sent to Jammu and Chandigarh to nab some accused who are on run. The accused also include few students, the sources said, adding that there is an open First Information Report (FIR) filed by police in all these cases of school burning.
Although there is no solid evidence against the detained persons, but Special Director General of Police (DGP), Coordination and Law and Order, Dr SP Vaid told Excelsior that there is some breakthrough in South Kashmir in the probe. “See, there are 25-26 cases, and maximum are in South Kashmir. I think 16-17 are in South Kashmir, four in Central Kashmir and 4-5 are of North Kashmir,” he said, adding that in Kulgam, 12 persons have been arrested in two cases of school burning and claimed police have evidence against them.
Vaid said police have also arrested some accused in Shopian and Anantnag districts and there is progress in two-to-four cases. “In other cases, the investigation is on,” he. He said those accused who have fled Kashmir would be nabbed anywhere once the investigation progresses. “This is no big deal to get them from Jammu or Chandigarh,” he asserted.
The Special DG said that police cannot protect all schools and said it is the duty of local community besides Chowkidars to protect schools. “I once again appeal to people that the schools are everyone’s property. Although Chowkidars should be there but it is the matter of community and all of us collectively should safeguard these institutes. It is encouraging that people yesterday at Ganderbal foiled blazing attempt of a school. This is how police and public should work together,” he added.
In the meantime, Government has issued an order in which teachers and the Chowkidars have been asked to safeguard the schools and prevent them from burning.
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