Srinagar: Police today (Dec 10, 2003) took into preventive custody several separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and JKLF (Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front) vice-chairman Javed Ahmad Mir who were protesting against alleged Human Rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir on the World Human Rights Day.

Geelani, who was leading nearly 200 protestors towards United Nations Military Observers Group, was taken into custody at Zero Bridge in Srinagar, official sources said.

Police had to resort to teargas shelling as Geelani's supporters tried to resist his detention, they said.

He has been lodged at Rajbagh police station along with four associates.

Over a dozen activists of Awami Action Committee, a constituent of Hurriyat Conference (Ansari group), led by party secretary Mohammad Yakoob Vakil and Youth Forum head Farooq Ahmad were also taken into custody at Lal Chowk, they said.

Thirteen activists, who were taken into preventive custody, were lodged at Kothibagh police station, they said.

Mir, who was leading a group of nearly 100 youth, was taken into custody from Maisuma locality along with 10 supporters, the sources said.

Immediately after Mir's detention, the youth began pelting stones at the police, who were trying to disperse the crowd, they said.

Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Realistic Front, Hilal Ahmad was taken into preventive custody along with four supporters as he tried to lead a protest march in Maisuma locality of Lal Chowk area in Srinagar, official sources said.

The detained separatists were lodged at Maisuma police station, they said.

PTI