Don't harass common people in Kashmir: PDP to security forces

Srinagar, Jan 24 (UNI) Expressing concern over the increase in search operations, frequent roadside frisking and identification parades by security forces, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said restraint should be shown during these operations.

Peoples Democratic Party General Secretary Nizam Uddin Bhat, in a statement here, said: ''These operations give tough time to innocent people of the Valley in the run up to the Republic Day.'' He asked security forces to observe utmost restraint while checking and frisking of people, especially those living in north Kashmir's Bandipora district.

Mr Bhat expressed disappointment over the complaints of harassment in Bandipora where people, including women and children, are asked to disembark from their vehicles and walk for kilometers together. He said intensification of security arrangements ahead of January 26 celebrations, should not unnecessarily become a reason for harassment of common people.

He further said security forces, whose duty is to guard people from anti-social elements, should exercise utmost restraint while performing their duties.

Mr Bhat said snap checking of public vehicles, which were being stopped at many places for security checks over the last few days in Bandipora and its adjacent villages, should be reduced.

''Such inconvenience, which puts a common man into trouble, should be avoided,'' he added.

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