Yasin Malik, associate detained for disrupting peace

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik and his associate Shoukat Bakshi were arrested on Thursday for allegedly ransacking a police station in Maisuma area in Srinagar, and attacking personnel.

"Malik along with his associates went inside the police station and intimidated and attacked the policemen, besides ransacking some items of the office," a police spokesman said after the arrest of the JKLF chairman.

He said Malik and his associates disturbed the peace in the area and disrupted traffic near the Budshah Chowk. "A case has been registered and Malik along with Bakshi has been arrested," the spokesman said.

Earlier, Malik and his supporters tried to stage a sit-in outside Maisuma police station, protesting arrest of a youth, Ashiq Hussain Dar. The youth was arrested on Wednesday after he was found allegedly involved in beating up another person.

Police later dispersed them using force and detained Malik and three of his associates, official sources said. Soon after the detention of Malik, markets in Maisuma and adjoining areas shut down, they said, adding additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.