Curfew imposed in Srinagar after Masarat's arrest

Authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and other major towns of north Kashmir on Tuesday after the arrest of top separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat on Monday evening.

Bhat had gone underground after launching the 'Quit Kashmir campaign' in June this year in absence of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was under detention. Geelani heads the hardline separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference group.

Masarat was taken into custody from the home of a close relative in Telbal area of Srinagar on Monday evening. He was immediately shifted to an undisclosed location for questioning.

A

police spokesman said curfew was imposed in Srinagar and other north Kashmir towns as a precautionary measure today morning. Heavy police and paramilitary reinforcements have been deployed in Srinagar to maintain law and order.

Bhat, who is a close aide of Geelani, was the general secretary of the hard-line APHC group.

Reacting to Bhat's arrest, Geelani said, "Arrests and detentions are part and parcel of the freedom movement. The arrest is painful, but the struggle will continue."

Bhat, who was arrested in 2008 during the Amarnath land row agitation, was released in June this year.

Curfew imposed in Srinagar after Masarat Alam's arrest