Police on Thursday arrested two separatist leaders, including Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Mohammad Yasin Malik, for holding an anti-election rally in Sumbal area of Bandipora district, officials said in Srinagar.
Malik and Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadees president Moulvi Showkat Shah were arrested in the wee hours on Thursday from their respective residences in Maisuma and Lal Bazaar areas of the city, the officials said.
"Malik and Shah have been booked under section 13 of the Unlawful activities act," Superintendent of Police Bandipora Shiekh Junaid said.
They said the duo were arrested hours after launching a poll boycott campaign in Sumbal area of Bandipora district, which is going to assembly polls in the first phase on November 17.
Meanwhile, protests broke out in Maisuma locality early in the morning as soon as news of the arrests broke out. Angry youth pelted stones at police and paramilitary forces in the area, leading to suspension of traffic and closure of shops and business establishments in the area, sources said.
Additional police and paramilitary forces have been rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control but pitched battles were continuing till last reports came in, the sources said, adding that so far there were no reports of any casualties on either side.