Yasin Malik and 4 JKLF leaders detained

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and four other party leaders were taken into preventive custody ahead of a public meeting in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Friday, officials said in Srinagar.

Malik alongwith senior party leaders Mohammad Iqbal Gandroo, Mir Mohammad Zaman, Mohammad Yaseen Bhat and Mohammad Amin Jan were detained at Chogal, 75 kms from Srinagar,on Friday afternoon, they said.

They said the JKLF leaders were on way to Handwara to address a public meeting when they were detained by police as a precuationary measure to maintain law and order. Strongly condemning the detention, the party said this is the second time the separatist leader was prevented from visiting Handwara to meet the people during the past few months.

"Handwara visit was part of the 'meet the people' programme of the party. JKLF organised a number of public meetings throughout the state but there was no law and order problem anywhere," Secretary Information Ashraf-bin-Salam said.

The JKLF will not be cowed down by such acts and will continue its meet the people programme in future to garner support for the ongoing struggle for complete freedom, he said.