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Shopian returns to normal after 4 days, 2 arrested youth released

SHABIR AHMAD. Dated: 4/5/2013 12:37:59 AM

SRINAGAR, Apr 4: After four days of shutdowns and protests Shopian township of South Kashmir limped back to normal today after the district authorities released two detained youth.
The authorities also assured the civil society of the district that no innocent will be arrested in the town. Zubair Ahmad Tarray son of Bashir Ahmad Tarray was arrested by police from his shop last week on charges of organizing stone pelting in the town.
Family termed the police claim as false saying their son was being victimized. His arrest triggered complete shutdown and protests for four straight days from Sunday. During the protests and clashes that erupted in the town over his arrest police arrested two more on Monday.
However, despite continuous strike in the area seeking the release of the arrested youth, authorities slapped PSA on Zubair and sent him to Kathua jail. Authorities also booked district president Hurriyat (G ), Shakir Ahmad Mir under the act. After the booking of Zubair under PSA, civil society of the district formed a committee comprising of members of the traders federation, Majlis-i-Mashawrat and Bar association. Sources said that the committee members yesterday met the district administration discussed the deteriorating situation in the town with officials. They also sought the release of the two detained youth and revocation of PSA on Zubair. “The administration besides assuring the committee members of the release of two youth also assured them that no innocent will be booked in future in the town,” sources said. They said that soon after the meeting between the officials and the committee concluded on Wednesday both the arrested youth were released.
Reports said that on the appeal of the committee members normal business was resumed in the town this morning.
All the shops, business establishments, private and government offices and educational institutions remained open in the town. Traffic also plied normally on the roads.
Civil society member and general secretary of Majlis-i-Mashawrat, Abdul Rashid Dalal said, “Two youth who were detained at local police station have been released only last evening. DC has also assured that no arrests will be made in the town in future,” Dalal said. Deputy commissioner, Shopian, Mohammad Javed Khan confirmed the meeting with the civil society members and said it was completely normal in the town today.
“We had a meeting with civil society and I assured them that no innocent will be arrested. We also released the youth who had been booked under various charges,” DC said.
He however added that nobody will be allowed to disturb law and order in the town.