Govt terms arrest 'communication gap'

Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday termed the arrest and release issue of separatist leaders as a “communication gap at some local level.”

“Government has no problem in separatists travelling from one part of the country to another,” J&K government spokesman and Education Minister Nayeem Akhtar told reporters. Asked what was the reason for detention and subsequent release of separatists, he termed it as a “communication gap at some local level.”

“We are looking forward to the talks between National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan,” he added

Kashmiri separatist leaders, who are scheduled to meet Pakistan’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Sartaj Aziz on Sunday, were placed under house arrest on Thursday. However, a few hours later they were released.

Chairmen of both factions of the Hurriyat, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and pro-independence JKLF chief Yasin Malik were invited by Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit for talks with visiting the NSA of Pakistan Sartaj Aziz.

Moderate Hurriyat spokesman Shahid-ul-Islam said the police arrived at Mirwaiz’s Nigeen residence and placed him under arrest on Thursday morning. “Another senior leader of the conglomerate Moulana Abbas Ansari too was put under house arrest,” he told Deccan Herald.

However, he said at around 11:30 am, the police siege was lifted and both Mirwaz and Ansari were released.

Geelani was detained in his uptown Hyderpora residence in the city. “We are confused, first heavy contingent of the police was placed at the houses of our leaders and offices. We were told that all leaders have been placed under house arrest,” Ayaz Akbar spokesman of the hardline Hurriyat told Deccan Heralrd.

However, he said after some time all the leaders were released.