Protest march by Geelani's supporters; demand his release

Srinagar, June 8 (UNI) Supporters of breakaway Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today took out a demonstration here in protest against his arrest in Jammu yesterday and demanded his immediate release.

Meanwhile, the breakaway Hurriyat Conference and the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat both have called for a general strike in Kashmir tomorrow in protest against Mr Geelani's arrest in Poonch yesterday.

The firebrand separatist leader was arrested when he was heading for Poonch district to address a gathering there. He was later shifted to Central Jail in Jammu and remanded in police custody till June 29.

He has been charged with sedition by a court in Poonch and ordered into police custody five years after an arrest warrant was issued against him for ''inciting people against the Indian state, triggering communalism and fundamentalism while making a series of provocative speeches'' in 2001.

Mr Geelani had arrived in Jammu on June one on a week-long visit to Rajouri and Poonch districts to put before the people his party's viewpoint regarding the contentious Kashmir issue.

The supporters took out the protest march from Polo View to Lal Chowk here. They demanded the immediate release of 77 year-old Geelani, claiming that he has been ailing for sometime and his health condition was serious and fast deteriorating.

Mr Geelani's supporters said they would continue with their protests till the hardline separatist leader was released.

His arrest was an undemocratic act and demonstrated the high handedness of the authorities, they alleged.

UNI AG AK ND1550