Ganderbal: Police in Ganderbal have booked twenty members of a self-styled gang — “16/96” — for allegedly harassing young couples and tourists visiting Abdullah Park, Dumping Park, and other popular recreational sites in the district, officials said on Sunday.
According to a police spokesperson, the group used to frequent these public places, click photographs and videos of visiting couples and tourists without their consent, and subsequently resort to intimidation, blackmail, and harassment of innocent persons on various pretexts for personal gains.
Inquiry revealed, police said, that the group-maintained WhatsApp and other social media groups to coordinate such unlawful activities.
Taking cognizance of the matter, police identified and apprehended all 20 individuals involved. Their parents and guardians were also summoned to the Police Station Ganderbal for counseling sessions aimed at preventing such behavior in the future, police added.
However, considering the repeated involvement of some among them in similar acts, the spokesperson said, a few “habitual offenders” have been booked under relevant sections of law and sent to Dignibal Jail as per legal proceedings.
Police encouraged the public to report any incident of harassment or suspicious activity immediately for police action.
