609 people still under detention in Jammu and Kashmir: MHA

Srinagar: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday said that over 609 people are currently under detention in Jammu and Kashmir.

The ministry, in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, said that in order to prevent offences involving a breach of peace, activities prejudicial to the security of the state and maintenance of the public order, as many as 5,161 preventive arrests were made in Kashmir valley since August 4. Those arrested included stone pelters, miscreants, over ground workers (OGWs), separatists and political workers.

"Out of these, 609 persons are presently under detention, out of which approximately 218 are stone pelters," the ministry in an official statement. The central government had on August 5 earlier this year announced its decision to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs). Following this, various mainstream political leaders and others were put under detention.

The MPs of European Union who visited J&K last month, were on a private visit, the government told parliament today. They were allowed to visit as part of the system of "familiarisation visit" the Union Home Ministry said in response to a question by Samajwadi Party MP Chaudhary Sukhram Yadav.