Srinagar, Apr 16: Hours after woman SPO Saima Akhter was arrested and slapped with UAPA besides terminated from services, PDP president and former Chief Minister of erstwhile state Mehbboba Mufti termed police action as “cruel”.

“Saima Akhter from Kulgam has been slapped with UAPA for raising legitimate questions about searching her home repeatedly without any reasons. Saima’s ailing mother understandably exacerbated her worries. When it comes to cruelty even women aren’t spared in Naya Kashmir,” she tweeted.

Earlier, Police arrested the woman SPO and disengaged her from services, accusing her of “obstructing” a military operation in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

“The woman resisted the search party and turned violent, and uttered statements glorifying violent actions of (militants),” the spokesman said, adding, “She captured a video through her personal phone and forwarded it on social media platforms with the aim of disrupting the search.”

Regarding the incident, the police spokesman said that a case (FIR No 19/2021) U/S 353 IPC, 13 UAP Act stands registered in Police Station Yaripora and “investigation of case is in progress.”