Srinagar: Additional Deputy General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar on Sunday said religious preachers booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) were instigating youth despite being warned several times.
Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday had arrested three influential clerics in Kashmir and were booked under Public Safety Act (PSA)- that allows detention without trial for up to two years.
Family sources said Abdul Rashid Dawoodi, most known Barelvi scholar in Kashmir and Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri and Abdul Rashid Dar, both prominent Salafi leaders, were arrested on Thursday.
“One of the clerics Sarjan Barkati was called to police station and he has been arrested,” said a family member.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a cricket tournament at north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Kumar said that they had warned these people many times, but they didn’t budge.
“There are reports that some of the clerics are doing the same practice but soon after getting the proper evidence, they too will be booked,” he said.
He added that they have other legal options to curb them, while some are being sensitised and let go, however, Public Safety Act (PSA) is the last option when someone continues to indulge in wrong practice.
“Maintaining law and order situation is not the duty of Police only but people too can play an important role to create a peaceful atmosphere,” Kumar said.
The sources said five activists of banned Jamaat-e-Islami including Faheem Mohammad Ramzan and Gazi Moin-ul-Islam Nadvi were also arrested. Police didn’t officially confirm their arrests. (UNI)
