Crackdown against separatists ahead of shutdown opposing Pandit colonies

Srinagar

Ahead of the shutdown called by separatists, moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was today put under house arrest while JKLF chief Yaseen Malik was taken into custody to foil their programme tomorrow against Sainik colonies and Kashmiri Pandit townships.

Mirwaiz was put under house arrest this morning when a large contingent of police arrived at his residence in Nigeen area, a Hurriyat spokesman said here.

He was scheduled to head a meeting to discuss Hurriyat strategy to resist Sainik colonies and Pandit townships in the valley, the spokesman said.

Malik was taken into custody by police from his office at Abi Guzar here, a JKLF spokesman said.

He said the police raided the JKLF office this afternoon and arrested Malik.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani continues to be under house detention.

Mirwaiz, Geelani and Malik, on Monday, had jointly called for a shutdown for tomorrow against the establishment of Pandit colonies and Sainik Colony in the Valley.

PTI