PPP Chairman Hilal War arrested for threatning Biharis

Srinagar, Jul 26 (UNI) Police today arrested Peoples Political Party (PPP) chairman Hilal Ahmad War for allegedly threatening Bihari labourers and other workers asking them to leave the Kashmir Valley by August 10.

Official sources said War was arrested from his Maisuma residence near here this afternoon.

Police was looking for War and raided a number of places after the hand grenade blast at Batmaloo bus stand in which five members of a Bihari family was killed on July 24.

War had asked all Bihari labourers and other workers to leave the valley before August 10. He alleged that Biharis were involved in anti-social and other criminal activities in the valley, while he welcomed students, doctors and engineers.

As the news of arrest of War spread in the area, his supporters, including women took to streets.

Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse War's supporters who were pelting stones.

About a dozen people, half of them policemen were injured.

Shopkeepers in the area also closed down there establishments because of the tension.

Earlier, before his arrest, War alleged that Indian agencies were behind the grenade blast at Batmaloo.

UNI BAS ASM SW BD1600