Srinagar: Masarat Alam Bhat, the separatist leader of Jammu and Kashmir has been arrested today. He has been arrested amid mounting outrage over his raising of pro-Pakistani slogans and flags at a rally attended by him on Wednesday. The Central government said to have been keeping a "close watch" on the situation in the Kashmir Valley which witnessed renewed violence.
The 45-year-old radical was arrested from his home in Habbakadal area of the city early this morning. Masarat, who was himself seen chanting slogans in support of Pakistan, besides Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had been placed under house arrest in Srinagar last night.
An FIR was registered in Budgam police station against Geelani, Masarat and other separatists leaders for "provocative activities" under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and other penal laws. The arrest came hours ahead of Hurriyat's planned march to Tral area of Pulwama district where two youths had been killed in an army operation, which locals are claiming as a staged encounter.