The Hindu : Front Page : 4 separatist leaders released

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Tuesday, Sep 02, 2008
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4 separatist leaders released

Shujaat Bukhari

Shabir Shah and Ashraf Sehrai booked under the Public Safety Act

SRINAGAR: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday released top separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Geelani and Mohammad Yasin Malik after a week-long detention. However, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Ashraf Sehrai have been booked under the Public Safety Act.

The decision to release the leaders was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Governor N.N. Vohra to review the situation in the State in the backdrop of the recent developments.

Sources said Mr. Geelani was taken to the S.K. Institute of Medical Sciences soon after his release as he complained of chest pain. “He has been hospitalised and doctors are conducting tests on him,” his son Nasim-uz-Zaffar told The Hindu, adding that he was already suffering from several ailments. “He is very weak,” he said.

The Mirwaiz had been jailed for the first time in his 18-year religious and political career. Both leaders were reportedly detained in a government guest house while Mr. Malik, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, was detained at the Kothibagh police station.

The sources said the leaders were released in view of the holy month of Ramzan.

While the Mirwaiz and Mr. Geelani were arrested on August 24, a day ahead of the proposed Lal Chowk march, Mr. Malik was arrested on August 25 when he tried to defy curfew and hold a demonstration there.

A day after the government and the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti signed an agreement, Jammu city and other towns in the region erupted in celebrations. Sweets were distributed and processions taken to celebrate the “victory” in the Amarnath Shrine Board land transfer issue.

However, Srinagar continued to be tense as authorities reimposed curfew in certain areas, but relaxed it later.

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