Kashmir violence: Geelani, Mirwaiz arrested, Eidgah march plans scuttled

Separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were arrested on 26 August after they attempted to defy house arrest.

Geelani - chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference - and Mirwaiz - chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference - were taken into custody, police told PTI.

Geelani was arrested at around 1.15pm as he attempted to take out a march towards Eidgah in Old Srinagar after Friday prayers. He was taken to Humhama police station, Kashmir Life reported.

According to the report, all the routes towards the Eidgah - where people have been asked to gather as part of programme issued by the joint resistance leadership - have been sealed and a strict curfew has been imposed.

PTI reported that Mirwaiz was taken into custody after he tried to take out a march along with his supporters from his Nigeen residence.

Meanwhile, peaceful pro-freedom protests are underway in Hyderpora area, where crowds have reportedly gathered to protest despite the heavy rain.

--With PTI inputs