Madani released, traffic resumes on the national highway

Hardwar, Sep 6 (UNI) Jamiat-ulema Hind leader Maulana Masood Madani, who was arrested yesterday while protesting against the alleged excesses against Muslims, was released today.

With the release of the Maulana, who enjoys the rank of a minister in Uttaranchal, traffic on the Hardwar-Delhi National Highway resumed which was blocked by the supporters of the cleric since yesterday.

Maulana Madani, Vice President of Uttaranchal's 15 Points Implementation Programme, was arrested from Roorkee under section 151 of the IPC for apprehension of breach of peace. Police had to resort to mild lathicharge to disperse hundreds of supporters of Maulana who was protesting the alleged discrimination of the state government against Muslims and demanding the transfer of the DM and the SSP of Hardwar.

As soon as the news of his arrest spread, thousands of supporters armed with lathis, sharp edged weapons and country-made firearms, blocked the traffic on the Hardwar-Delhi National Highway.

Besides police the PAC and RAF were deployed to tackle the situation.

UNI XC YA MIR BST1623