Kashmiri businessmen not arrested in Karnataka: Police

Srinagar, Jan 19 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Police today said they have been informed by their counterparts in Bangalore that the four Kashmiri businessmen were not ''arrested'' but taken for questioning in connection with a case there.

A police spokesman made the clarification following a report in Greater Kashmir on January 12, suggesting that four Kashmiri businessmen -- Mohammad Rafiq Toku, Showkat Ahmed Bhat, Showkat Tunda and Nazir Ahmed -- were arrested at Bellary in Karnataka.

On the directions of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, he said the matter was taken up with the Karnataka Police.

The Union Home Ministry had also taken up the matter with the Karnataka Police, the spokesman added.

''The Bangalore Police Commissioner has informed us that the four Kashmiris were taken for questioning in connection with a case being investigated by the Yashwanthapur police station and not arrested.

They were let off immediately after questioning,'' he said.

UNI