Police in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) on Thursday arrested senior Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, when he tried to visit the bereaved family of Zahid Rasool Butt in Islamabad in IHK, who was recently killed by Hindu extremists in Udhampur.
Geelani was arrested as he left his home in IHK by security forces, and is being held in Hamhama police station in Srinagar.
The senior Hurriyat leader was greeted by a large number of people, some of whom were also arrested by Indian security forces from outside his residence.
The leader had called for a march towards Botengoo, an area near Islamabad, to express solidarity with the family of Zahid Rasool Butt.
Indian authorities have imposed a curfew and other restrictions in Srinagar, to stop the planned march and to contain protests.
Indian troops and security forces have been deployed in strength and barricades have been erected on all entry and exit points of Srinagar, with movements restricted for all.
Earlier this week, protesters in India-held Kashmir clashed with security forces during the funeral a Muslim conductor who was attacked 10 days ago over cow slaughter rumours.
Cufew-like restrictions have been imposed across the Valley after pro-liberation leaders called for a shutdown over death of Zahid, a truck conductor who was injured in a petrol bomb attack over rumours that he had slaughtered a cow.
A resident of Anantnag area, the young trucker Zahid was attacked with petrol bombs by a mob on October 9 in Udhampur area over rumours that three cows were killed in the area.
Severely injured, Zahid along with the truck’s driver Shaukat Ahmed were moved to Delhi for treatment. While the truck driver is still in hospital, Zahid succumbed to his injuries at on Sunday, nine days after the attack.
Indian officials have claimed arrest of at least nine suspects for their involvement in the attack.
