KL Report
SRINAGAR
The JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested along with more than two dozen people at Mirgund Pattan today when he was going towards Sopore.
Following the program of Mutahida Majlis I Mashawarat (MMM), Malik was scheduled to lead a protest rally at Sopore but he was barred from leading the protest by the state police, Rashtriya Rifels and CRPF who were deployed in large numbers along the highway.
As per a statement the JKLF delegation was first stopped by government forces at Narbal crossing but they evaded the blockade. But as soon as they reached Mirgund, forces stopped it from going ahead. On the occasion, “Yasin Malik and others staged a sit in at the road and because of the sit in traffic remained closed at the highway for about an hour. Police arrested Yasin and others and shifted them to Pattan but later on shifted them back to Mirgund camp. Today’s rally in Sopore was to raise a collective voice in favor of returning the mortal remains of Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and Mohammad Afzal Guru, Plight of prisoners especially lifers languishing in jails and innocents who are being slapped with PSA. Yasin was also scheduled to visit Mohammad Afzal Guru’s residence at Doaab Gah today”, reads the statement.
JKLF spokesman while condemning the arrests said that on one side authorities claim that peaceful efforts are given space and will not be stopped but on the other side every peaceful effort is being dealt upon with police and army might. Spokesman said, “JKLF is fully aware of these atrocities and are determined to face this military and police might in the way of Azadi.” Meanwhile the locals at Sopore demonstrated against these arrests and took out a procession at Khankahi Mohalla Sopore which was led by JKLF leader Mohammad Ashraf Dar.
