J&K trucker's death: Police detains Yasin Malik along with four others

Srinagar: JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was on Tuesday detained along with four others shortly after they visited the residence of the slain trucker in south Kashmir.

Malik and four others, including chairman of another faction of JKLF Javid Mir, were detained in Anantnag when they were returning from Batengoo residence of the slain trucker Zahid Ahmad Bhat after attending a condolence meeting there, a police officer said.

He said the separatists were detained as a precautionary measure as Malik was planning to stage a protest against the Zahid's death in Anantnag town, 55 kms from here.

As the news about the detention of Malik reached his party headquarters at Maisuma in the heart of Srinagar, groups of JKLF activists took to streets and enforced closure of shops in the area and adjoining localities.

Police and paramilitary personnel who were deployed in strength in the area swung into action to restore order but were engaged by the protesters in clashes, the officer said.

He said police fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse the stone-pelting protesters and the clashes between the two sides were continuing when last reports were received. No one was injured so far in the incident but normal activities were badly affected, the officer said.