Qazi Yasir had threatened hunger strike over arrests

SRINAGAR: Following the massive protests by the people Anantnag police has released all the youth last evening arrested during last one week on charges of stone throwing.
Atleast thirty six youth had been arrested by police during the protests and clashes that rocked the town over the murder of the truck driver Zahid Rasool of Batengoo by a Hindu mob in Udhampur district on October 9.
Authorities after failing to contain protests had enforced harsh restrictions in the town for three consecutive days.
However, after witnessing a day of normal business on Saturday the town had erupted again on Sunday over the arrests with people including women hitting the streets and holding protests.
Members of Bar association Anantnag on Monday took out a protest rally in the town seeking the release of arrested youth. Besides Mirwaiz south Kashmir Qazi Yasir on Monday had also threatened to go on a hunger strike if the youth were not released by evening.
However fearing more protests in the town the police authorities late last evening released all the youth who had been detained from various localities of the town.
"Though majority of them were released without registration of any cases against them but few were released on bail," said a police official.
SHO Anantnag, Adil Ahmad confirmed the release of the arrested youth. "We released all the arrested youth only last evening," SHO told The Legitimate.
DIG South Kashmir Nitish Kumar on Sunday had told a local daily that the cases will be registered only against those arrested youth who happen to be the hardcore stone pelters while as those having been lured by some elements will be set free after counselling.