Sopore, April 24: Weeks after a student protest over the alleged harassment of a girl student spiralled into vandalism and road blockades in this north Kashmir town, police have detained six persons under the stringent Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), officials said on Friday.
Those detained have been identified as Umar Akbar Hajam, Salman Ahmed Shala, Altaf Ahmed Sheikh, Mubashir Ahmed Gilkar, Muzammil Mushtaq Changa, and Majid Firdous Dar — all residents of Sopore. They were booked after detention warrants were obtained from the office of the District Magistrate and have been lodged in District Jail Bhadarwah, officials said.
“They were actively involved in instigating unrest and indulging in acts of vandalism during a student protest, posing a serious threat to public order and safety,” an official said, adding that more individuals are being identified for similar legal action.
The protest was triggered earlier this month after a girl student levelled harassment allegations against a senior lecturer in Sopore town. The lecturer was subsequently suspended. However, the agitation turned violent when students staged a sit-in and blocked a road, prompting police intervention.
Sopore Police has reiterated a zero-tolerance policy against any unlawful activity disturbing peace and stability in the district. “The general public, especially youth, are advised to stay away from such unlawful activities and not fall prey to instigation by anti-social elements,” a spokesperson said, appealing to parents and community leaders to guide their wards.
In a separate advisory, police warned social media users against sharing unverified content, asserting that the spread of rumours and misinformation affecting public order is a punishable offence.
“Rumour mongering and spreading misinformation leading to public disorder is an offence under law and will invite strict legal action,” the advisory read. Users were urged to “post responsibly” and follow a three-step verification — check, cross-check, and recheck — before sharing any message or image on digital platforms.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone V K Birdi, referring to the incident, said some people “tried to commit an illegal act and took the law into their own hands.” He clarified that those involved had no connection with the educational institution initially linked to the unrest.
“If they try to commit an illegal act, the Jammu and Kashmir Police will take legal action against them,” the IGP said.
Police have also appreciated the cooperation of peace-loving citizens of Sopore in maintaining normalcy.
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