Srinagar, Jan 03: Ahead of panchayat elections scheduled to begin February 15, the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) was arrested on Wednesday to thwart their anti-election campaign.
Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Yasin Malik, was detained from his Abi Guzar office.
The party’s Budgam president, Gulzar Ahmad Pahallwan was arrested from his residence, Nasillahpura, Budgam.
Both the leaders have been lodged at the Central Jail, Srinagar.
Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has been put under house arrest.
A large contingent of police was deployed at his Nigeen residence.
Hurriyat (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Gillani, continues to be under house arrest for the last almost nine years at his Hyderpora residence.
The elderly leader is not even allowed to offer Friday or Idd prayers.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range, Munir Khan said that the arrests have been made in connection with law and order.
“We have been monitoring the developments. They are organising a seminar and have given call for poll boycott,” he said.
The state is going to hold panchayat polls for the first time since 2011. Members to 4,500 panchayats are to be elected through the exercise.