This Article is From Sep 08, 2010

J&K: Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani arrested

Srinagar: A day after he threatened to intensify agitation against the government if his demands are not accepted by New Delhi, hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has been arrested by the police in Jammu and Kashmir.

The timing of the arrest raises questions since Geelani had appealed for non-violent protests and the state government had even sent a representative to meet him.

Geelani was today arrested from his Hyderpora residence on the outskirts Srinagar and was taken to Humhama police station.

"Geelani has been arrested under sections 107 (under which any person can be placed under arrest who instigates a crowd which may lead to law and order problem) and 151 of RPC as there are apprehensions that he is a threat to public peace and order," a senior police official said.

He was earlier arrested on June 20 after the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley deteriorated and was released on August 4.

Meanwhile, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today and brief him on the situation in the state.

Tension returned to the Valley on Monday as four youths were killed in clashes with security forces. Among the four killed was a Class IX student.

The death of the student has taken the total number of civilian deaths in the Valley in the last three months to 66. (With PTI inputs)
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