Police Crackdown: Student Protest Foiled as Sher-e-Kashmir Park Locked Down, 50+ Detained in High-Alert Operation
Police foiled a student protest by locking down Sher-e-Kashmir Park, detaining 50+ protesters and enforcing tight security measures amid rising campus unrest and public tension
Srinagar, Dec 28: As open merit students in Kashmir announced a sit-in against the government’s alleged failure to rationalise the reservation policy, the Police on Saturday foiled the march while locking Sher-e-Kashmir Park, where they were scheduled to protest.
Leaders that included National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament, Aga Syed Ruhullah, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s Iltija Mufti and MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para claimed that they had been placed under house detention.
Since Sunday morning, a heavy deployment of Police and paramilitary forces was witnessed in Srinagar and the gates of Sher-e-Kashmir Park were locked amid the presence of armed personnel.
Ruhullah, Iltija, and Para said Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed outside their residences to prevent them from joining the protest.
Former Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) mayor Junaid Mattoo was also placed under house detention.
“Armed Police have been deployed outside the residence of Hon’ble MP@RuhullahMehdi,” Ruhullah’s office said in a post on microblogging site ‘X’, sharing pictures of Police vehicles stationed outside his home.
Questioning the move, the post asked whether it was a “pre-emptive crackdown to silence a peaceful, pro-student demonstration” and said plans for the protest would continue.
“Like many others, I’ve also been placed under house arrest at Srinagar today. The insecurity and paranoia of the security agencies know no bounds. This is the ‘normalcy’ in Naya Kashmir. An entire contingent of female Police personnel is deputed at the gate to physically stop me. Care to explain under what grounds @JmuKmrPolice?” Iltija Mufti said in a post on ‘X’.
The PDP also confirmed that Para had been placed under house detention.
“In the middle of the night, @parawahid has been put under house arrest. Why is a peaceful protest for students’ rights being weaponised?” the party said in a post on ‘X’.
Open merit students, who have been protesting for over a year, have demanded a review of the existing reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the current framework, over 60 percent of seats are reserved for various categories, leaving less than 40 percent for Open Merit candidates.
Both the NC and PDP had promised rationalisation of reservations in their election manifestos. Following sustained pressure from students and party leaders, the NC-led government constituted a Cabinet Sub-committee to examine the issue.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said the cabinet has approved the panel’s recommendations and forwarded the file to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Ruhullah, who had joined students in a sit-in protest last year, reiterated his support for the agitation earlier this week.
“I have neither forgotten nor left the students alone,” he said, urging the government to engage with students and explain the steps taken to resolve the issue.
Para, who has termed the reservation policy an “existential issue” for the younger generation, accused the government of lacking intent to address the matter.
He demanded that the reservation report be made public and said institutions like the offices of the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor must remain accountable.
Police have also reportedly detained several youth leaders involved in organising the protest, even as students reiterated their demand for immediate action on the rationalisation of reservations.
Tensions escalated after police foiled a planned student protest and locked Sher-e-Kashmir Park, citing security concerns and the need to maintain public order. The preventive action, carried out early in the day, effectively stopped students from assembling at the historic park, a location that has long served as a symbolic space for public gatherings, demonstrations, and political expression.
According to officials, security forces were deployed in large numbers around Sher-e-Kashmir Park hours before the protest was expected to begin. Barricades were erected at key entry points, and access to the park was completely restricted. Police personnel were also stationed at nearby roads, intersections, and public transport hubs to prevent large groups from converging in the area.
Authorities said the decision to lock the park was taken as a precautionary measure after intelligence inputs suggested that the protest could disrupt traffic, lead to clashes, or escalate into a law-and-order situation. As a result, students who attempted to reach the venue were stopped, questioned, and asked to disperse.
Student groups planning the protest expressed strong dissatisfaction with the police action, accusing authorities of suppressing democratic voices. According to student representatives, the protest was meant to be peaceful and focused on highlighting academic, administrative, and policy-related grievances.
Several students claimed they were not allowed to gather even in small groups and alleged that some protesters were briefly detained or warned against participating. They argued that locking down a public park sends a chilling message to young voices seeking dialogue and reform.
“This was supposed to be a peaceful protest. Instead of listening to our demands, the authorities chose to shut us out completely,” said a student leader, adding that the action has further fueled anger and frustration among the youth.
Police officials, however, defended their move, stating that preventive restrictions were necessary to avoid any untoward incident. They maintained that the action was not aimed at silencing students but at ensuring public safety.
“Sher-e-Kashmir Park is a sensitive and busy area. Any large gathering without proper permissions can pose security challenges,” a senior police officer said. He added that students were free to express their concerns through lawful and permitted channels, and that the administration remains open to dialogue.
Officials also pointed out that similar preventive steps are often taken when there is a possibility of protests leading to road blockades, damage to public property, or clashes with law enforcement.
The police action quickly drew reactions from political leaders and civil society groups. Several opposition leaders criticized the lockdown of the park, calling it an overreach of authority and an example of shrinking space for peaceful dissent. They argued that student protests have historically played a key role in shaping public discourse and that heavy-handed measures could deepen mistrust.
Civil rights activists echoed these concerns, warning that repeated restrictions on peaceful assemblies could undermine democratic principles. They urged the administration to engage with student representatives rather than relying solely on policing measures.
On the other hand, some voices supported the police move, stating that maintaining law and order must remain a priority, especially in sensitive public spaces. They argued that authorities cannot take risks when there is potential for unrest.
The lockdown of Sher-e-Kashmir Park also affected daily commuters and local residents. Traffic diversions were reported in surrounding areas, and several businesses near the park saw reduced footfall due to security restrictions. Commuters expressed inconvenience but acknowledged the need for safety precautions.
Public transport services continued to operate, though with minor delays in some areas due to police checkpoints and movement restrictions.
While the immediate protest was foiled, student groups have indicated that their demands remain unresolved and that they may explore alternative ways to voice their concerns. Some organizations are reportedly considering submitting memorandums to the administration or organizing discussions and forums within campuses.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between student activism and state authority, raising important questions about how dissent is managed in public spaces. As authorities emphasize security and order, students and civil society continue to push for greater openness and dialogue.
For now, Sher-e-Kashmir Park remains a focal point of debate—not just as a physical space that was locked down, but as a symbol of the broader struggle between public order and the right to peaceful protest.
