Police arrest 41 separatists in Indian Kashmir

Indian authorities arrested a key separatist leader and 40 other activists on Thursday in a bid to quell spiralling protests in Indian Kashmir, an official said.

Ali Shah Gilani was arrested for making “provocative statements” and instigating young people to stage violent protests, the Associated Press quoted an official in Srinagar as saying.

Police have also arrested at least 40 other separatist leaders and activists during the past two days, a police officer said on condition of anonymity, in keeping with department policy. Another separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was placed under house arrest, he said.

Indian Kashmir has witnessed regular protests and shutdowns over the past two weeks after three people were allegedly killed by government forces.

Masarat Alam, another separatist leader, called for a two-day general strike beginning Friday and announced a “quit Kashmir” campaign against Indian rule.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2010.