 SRINAGAR: At least 300 people, many of them former militants, were taken into preventive custody on Monday amid extraordinary security precautions ahead of the launch of historic Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service across divided Kashmir, a security official said.
Security forces swept through held Kashmir on Monday, rounding up more than 300 people who authorities feared could join violence against the buses or passengers.
| "Into the paddy wagon wit' yez! That means you, too, Mahmoud!" |
Preventive arrests are fairly common in Kashmir, particularly on the eve of important events that authorities fear could be targeted by militants.
| Sounds like good sense to me... |
An ambulance and numerous armoured vehicles will accompany the two 19-seat buses that will make the trip from Srinagar carrying 24 passengers. Two similar buses will bring about that many passengers to Srinagar from Muzaffarabad. Indian authorities have also taken at least 21 passengers into protective custody, worried they could be targeted by militants.
"But I just wanted to go see Grandmaw!"
"It's for your own good. Into the paddy wagon!" |
A booking clerk at the state road transport corporation in Srinagar said three of the 29 prospective passengers had bought tickets for the bus. A ticket will cost (Indian) Rs 750 as one-way fare, which includes travel charges and lunch on board, Kashmir Media Service reported. The Muzaffarabad Civil Administration on Monday approved the final list of people who will travel by the first bus. |