In a big jolt to the hard-line separatist camp, police on Saturday arrested one of the two most wanted leaders: Asiya Andrabi, head of the Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), a radical women's organisation. Her close associate Fahmida Sofi has also been arrested.
Ms. Andrabi was arrested following a tip-off from the Zakura area of Srinagar by a special team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
“She did not resist and was arrested along with a close associate Fahmida” a senior police officer said, pleading anonymity. He said that six mobile phones and a laptop were recovered from her possession.
She was later lodged in the women's police station and questioned. Sources said that she was likely to be booked under the Public Safety Act as she is charged with unlawful activities, waging war against the country and inciting violence. Sources said that through the mobile phones and Internet she had established a strong network which would further the ongoing agitation laden with stone-pelting. “She was a strong motivating force for youth” a senior officer said.
