School ‘harassment’ row: 6 booked under PSA for ‘vandalism’ during ­Sopore protest

Former CM Mehbooba Mufti asks: “What will become of their lives? They will be thrown into jail for years and then released”

At least six persons have been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Sopore on charges of alleged vandalism and disturbing

law and order during a protest in the Jammu and Kashmir city against alleged harassment of a student in a government school.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police said Friday said that “in a firm action against elements involved in disturbing public order, the Sopore Police booked six miscreants under the PSA for their involvement in the recent law and order disturbances as well as acts of vandalism during a student protest.”

Student protests broke out in Sopore after a student

of a girls’ higher secondary school alleged alleged harassment by a teacher on April 13 this year, who was subsequently removed from the school and attached to the education department. Police had filed an FIR in the case, but no arrest has been made so far.

All the persons booked under the PSA are from Sopore. “They have been detained under the PSA only after obtaining proper detention warrants from the competent authority (district magistrate), and have been lodged in District Jail Bhadarwah,” police said.

Meanwhile, PDP president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, during a public meeting in Anantnag, called out the use of the PSA against protesters. “What will become of their lives?” she asked. “They will be thrown into prison for years, and then released.”

According to police, the accused were “actively involved in instigating unrest, indulging in vandalism, and attempting to disturb peace during a recent protest by students”.

Reiterating its “zero tolerance” towards any unlawful activity that threatens peace and stability in the district, police in Sopore said that more individuals involved in the incident “are being identified, and are under process for similar legal action, including detention under the PSA”.

They have also issued a warning concerning any attempt to “exploit sensitive situations” or engage in acts that disturb public order.

Naveed Iqbal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, and reports from Jammu and Kashmir. With a career spanning over 15 years in frontline journalism, Naveed provides authoritative reporting on the region’s transition, governance, and the socio-political implications of national policies. Expertise Regional Specialization: Based in the Srinagar and New Delhi bureaus, Naveed has spent over a decade documenting the unique challenges of Jammu and Kashmir. Her reporting is distinguished by deep contextual knowledge of the region's post-Article 370, statehood debates, and local electoral politics. Key Coverage Beats: Her extensive body of work covers: Politics & Governance: Tracking the National Conference (NC), PDP, and BJP dynamics, including in-depth coverage of J&K’s first Assembly sessions and Rajya Sabha polls following the reorganization of the state. Internal Security & Justice: Providing rigorous reporting on counter-insurgency operations, terror module investigations, and judicial developments involving political detainees and constitutional rights. Education & Minority Affairs: Highlighting systemic issues such as quota rows in J&K, public service commission reforms, and the challenges faced by minority communities. ... Read More

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At least six persons have been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Sopore on charges of alleged vandalism and disturbing

law and order during a protest in the Jammu and Kashmir city against alleged harassment of a student in a government school.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police said Friday said that “in a firm action against elements involved in disturbing public order, the Sopore Police booked six miscreants under the PSA for their involvement in the recent law and order disturbances as well as acts of vandalism during a student protest.”

Student protests broke out in Sopore after a student

of a girls’ higher secondary school alleged alleged harassment by a teacher on April 13 this year, who was subsequently removed from the school and attached to the education department. Police had filed an FIR in the case, but no arrest has been made so far.

All the persons booked under the PSA are from Sopore. “They have been detained under the PSA only after obtaining proper detention warrants from the competent authority (district magistrate), and have been lodged in District Jail Bhadarwah,” police said.

Meanwhile, PDP president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, during a public meeting in Anantnag, called out the use of the PSA against protesters. “What will become of their lives?” she asked. “They will be thrown into prison for years, and then released.”

According to police, the accused were “actively involved in instigating unrest, indulging in vandalism, and attempting to disturb peace during a recent protest by students”.

Reiterating its “zero tolerance” towards any unlawful activity that threatens peace and stability in the district, police in Sopore said that more individuals involved in the incident “are being identified, and are under process for similar legal action, including detention under the PSA”.

They have also issued a warning concerning any attempt to “exploit sensitive situations” or engage in acts that disturb public order.