Kashmiri civilian arrested over posters in Pulwama
Indian police continue misuse of UAPA to silence dissent in IIOJK
Srinagar: In yet another instance of arbitrary arrests in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian police detained a Kashmiri civilian in Pulwama district on what critics describe as trivial and politically-motivated charges.
According to Kashmir Media Service, police intercepted a man during routine patrolling on New Circular Road in Pulwama and claimed to have recovered six posters of the Jamaat-e-Islami and two mobile phones from his possession. The detained individual was identified as Hilal Ahmad, a resident of Khader Moh area of Kakapora.
Police have registered a case against him under draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at Police Station Pulwama, and initiated further investigation.
Kashmiri civil society members and rights activists have strongly criticized the arrest, saying that Indian authorities are routinely invoking the UAPA against civilians on flimsy grounds to intimidate the population and suppress political, social and religious expression. They said possession of posters is being deliberately criminalized to create fear and justify prolonged detentions without trial.
