The detention of separatist leaders in Kashmir today drew sharp reaction from opposition National Conference as well as separatists who feared that they might be detained to scuttle their meeting with Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz.
The Pakistani High Commission had organised a reception for Aziz, who is expected to be here on Sunday for holding the NSA-level talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, and had invited separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq as well as hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
In the morning today, several separatist leaders of both moderate as well as hardline factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF chief Yaseen Malik were detained. However, barely two hours later, the restrictions were lifted.
Some of the separatist leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed their apprehensions that they may be detained again to prevent them from travelling to Delhi for meeting Aziz.
NC leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: "Shame on Mufti Syed for arresting on demand. He had no business following his masters orders & detaining the Hurriyat leaders like this."
A surprised separatist leadership of both the moderate as well as hardliners were unable to understand the reason behind the government action.
"I dont understand the reason behind the action. Today or tomorrow you have to address the problem. We have been always in favour of lasting friendship between India and Pakistan," said a baffled Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, head of moderate Hurriyat Conference.
"I can't make out the rationale behind the hue and cry that is made out of the fact that we are meeting any dignatary from Pakistan. We are not going to Delhi to scuttle the process, we are going to infact strengthen it," he said.
