Agencies ready list of troublemakers in J&K who will be detained under Public Safety Act

NEW DELHI: Security and intelligence agencies have drawn up a list of 980 people in Jammu and Kashmir, described as instigators of violence, who need to be detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) by the state police, officials have said.

The people in the list claim themselves to belong to the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeL) in J&K and have been identified during the examination of arrested stone pelters, said a government official adding that these ‘choreographers’ of violence are not only instigating young men and women but also financing the stone-pelters. JeL is an organisation which believes in the Sharia law and does not recognise civilian laws.

On Sunday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh during a review meeting asked security agencies to deal with these ‘instigators’ sternly. Home Ministry officials told ET that an “imminent crackdown” by the state police is expected soon.

Ahead of Eid celebrations, the Centre has advised the state government not to allow Idgah march by separatist leaders on Tuesday, following which the state declared curfew in 10 districts of the state.

“The situation in Kashmir is gradually improving. We hope that Eid will pass of peacefully,” said Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi in new Delhi on Monday The unrest has claimed 77 civilian lives since July 8. The Centre is of the view that the state government needs to assert itself and the Mehbooba Mufti government has agreed to take firm action against instigators.

Government sources said DGP Rajendra Kumar was given an extension keeping in view the current situation and with a clear mandate to ‘rein in’ rogue elements.