Malik among 50 JKLF supporters arrested in Doda

Doda, Nov 4 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and his over 50 supporters were taken into police custody here today, forcing the postponement of Safar-e-Azadi' (Journey for Freedom), a day before its beginning in Jammu region, a party spokesman said.

''The police arrested JKLF chairman and his 50 supporters, including Mohammad Zaman Mir, Mohammad Iqbal Gandroo, Mohammad Yasin Bhat, Mustaq Ahmad Khan, Imran Zargar and senior trade union leader Sampath Prakash in Doda,'' the spokesman said.

Despite administrative permission for 'Safar-e-Azadi', police had made public announcements against the rally and imposed section 144 of CrPC in the town, he alleged.

The JKLF, a Kashmir-based separatist group, had planned to begin the second phase of 'Safar-e-Azadi' from Jammu on the opening day of Durbar (civil secretariat) at the winter capital tomorrow. The Front had concluded the 114-day-long journey in the Valley two months ago.

However, SSP Doda Manohar Singh, when contacted, refuted arrests of JKLF leaders. ''No such arrest has been made. In my knowledge, Mr Malik arrived here yesterday and had left at around 1400 hrs today.

Perhaps he could not muster desired crowd here in Doda,'' he said.

UNI