Separatist leader Geelani arrested after Kashmir shutdown

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the hard-line faction of Hurriyat Conference, was arrested by the police outside a hospital in Srinagar on Friday evening, official sources said.

Geelani was arrested outside SMHS hospital, where he had gone to enquire about the condition of Faizan Ahmad, a 14-year-old boy injured in police firing during a clash at Maisuma in the state capital, they said.

The separatist leader, who sponsored a general strike in Srinagar today against the alleged illegal occupation of thousands of hectares of land by military troops, was initially taken to Shergari police station, but was later shifted to Humhama police station, the sources said.

Over 70 people, including 18 policemen, were injured in the fierce clashes between groups of angry youth and the police, during the day-long strike.

Geelani led a procession in Srinagar in violation of prohibitory orders shortly after Friday prayers, but his attempt to address the gathering was scuttled by policemen, who resorted to teargas shelling and baton charge.