SKARDU, Jan 26: Fifty-four people have been arrested for allegedly damaging public property and setting on fire some shops and hotels during the Jan 13 violence.

Senior Superintendent of Police Hajat Mir told newsmen here on Wednesday that cases had been registered under Terrorism Act against 16 unknown people and investigation was in final stage.

Three different investigation teams have been formed. The SSP said 54 people were under police custody and investigations were under way against them under the Terrorist Act, section 7, and PPC sections 164, 147, 148, 149 and 436.

Cases had also been registered against several arrested persons under section 295 for raising slogans and they would be sent to jail after judicial remand, he added.

Several persons, who were under police custody, had been hospitalized due to severe physical and mental torture by the police during investigation, sources said. The accused had been arrested by the police on suspicion of being involved in setting ablaze some private properties.

The source said besides 54 people booked so far, more arrests were being made. Nine accused, including young boys, were shifted to the DHQ hospital the other day because of severe police torture.

Earlier, five people had also reportedly been shifted to the hospital in the same case and were sent back to the police station after their condition improved.

The accused said they were innocent and not involved in any incident. The police were unfair with them, they complained. Visitors have been barred from meeting the accused in the Police Lines and the police stations.