Two notorious criminals arrested under PSA in J&K

Two notorious criminals, allegedly involved in different offences, were arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in separate incidents on Friday, police said.

Abdul Rashid, a resident of Rajouri district's Pargal village, has been arrested under the PSA as there were strong apprehensions that he could create disturbance during the upcoming Panchayat elections, a senior police officer said.

Police had recently received information that Rashid, along with a few others, had in the past assaulted people going to a polling station to cast their votes, he said.

Rashid is a history-sheeter, allegedly involved in 12 criminal cases, including those of theft, assault, kidnapping, rape, damaging properties and drug trafficking, among others, he said.

He was becoming a major threat for the people, the police officer added.

Rajouri Senior Superintendent of Police Yougal Manhas submitted a PSA dossier to the district magistrate, who issued the orders for Rashid's arrest under the Act, he said.

Rashid was sent to Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal.

In the second incident, a hardcore criminal, Sunil Kumar alias Gokal, was arrested in Jammu district's R S Pura after the deputy commissioner approved the PSA dossier against him, the police officer said.

Kumar, allegedly involved in six criminal cases, has also been sent to Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, he said.