Rakib Altaf
SRINAGAR: Police in Kashmir have launched a crackdown on former militants, a day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lands in the valley on a two-day visit.
Sources have told FreePress that intelligence agencies have furnished a list of former members of the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group who could pose a ‘security threat’ in view of the PM’s visit.
It has been sent to all police stations.
Interestingly, the list compiled by the Intelligence Bureau also includes names of various former rebels who are now dead, they added.
Those alive still are being called to police stations in their respective areas and asked to spend two days there. Their families have been told that they will be released immediately after the Prime Minister leaves the valley.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to arrive in Kashmir tomorrow on a two-day visit. He is to inaugurate the Banihal-Qazigund rail link which will bring Kashir just a step short of being connected with India’s vast railway network.
Authorities have put the valley on a high-alert and stepped up security measures.
“But steps like these are illogical. What is the government trying to do, force the former militants who have nothing to do with it now back to militancy?,” said a government teacher whose cousin is among the detained.
“Things like these have a negative impact on their families.”
Senior police officials could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
